Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz has dared Senate Republicans to oppose the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick, Fox News host Pete Hegseth.
Chaffetz made the dare during an appearance this Tuesday on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.” The discussion began with host Laura Ingraham praising President-elect Trump’s decision.
Listen:
(Video Credit: Fox News)
“[Hegseth’s] been on that issue on what woke-ifying our warrior class has done to military morale to recruitment,” she said. “He has been on the problems we’ve had on our deficit and recruitment like nobody’s business.”
“And man, that’s gonna be a big, big task for him to undertake once he gets into the Pentagon, which, of course, he’ll get confirmed no problem, given his incredible background,” she added.
It’s at this point that Chaffetz offered up the dare.
“I dare any Republican senator to vote against him,” he said. “That is not in their best interest. And we need to get him in place as soon as possible. Relief is on the way. This is exactly what I think America was striving for. And I can’t believe how excited I am.”
In fact, many on the right are excited about Hegseth’s potential role as defense secretary given his very fitting background. He spent 20 years in the military, he served in Afghanistan and Iraq, he earned two Bronze Stars, and he has degrees from Princeton University and Harvard University, as noted by CNN’s Scott Jennings:
“He’s got 20 years in service. Afghanistan, Iraq. Two bronze stars. Princeton, Harvard. Yeah, he’s on TV, but so are the rest of us.”
Scott Jennings just cooks them. Carl Bernstein’s face is priceless.
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 13, 2024
The left, which said nothing when the Biden-Harris administration appointed literal dress-wearing luggage thieves to its administration, is meanwhile griping and complaining about Trump’s pick.
“A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, said Hegseth’s selection is raising concerns about whether he has the practical experience to manage a large department with an enormous budget,” according to Time magazine.
“What’s your plan? What are you going to do? … How can you assure us that that lack of experience, you know, isn’t going to make it impossible for you to do the job?” House Armed Services Committee ranking member Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat, rhetorically asked Time magazine. “I think those are questions that need to be answered over the next couple of months.”
“I’m shocked, truly, and this is exactly what we worried about when we warned about Donald Trump, which is that he is going to appoint unqualified loyalists to shape this government into his own personal fiefdom,” Rep. Dan Goldman reportedly told reporters on Tuesday.
Other Democrats have taken their complaints to Twitter/X:
A Fox & Friends weekend co-host is not qualified to be the Secretary of Defense.
I lead the Senate military personnel panel. All three of my brothers served in uniform. I respect every one of our servicemembers.
Donald Trump’s pick will make us less safe and must be rejected. https://t.co/6ADUJSm8x6
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) November 13, 2024
Trump is an embarrassment. He just picked a guy who, if a Dem picked him, would cause Repub heads to explode.
He’s not qualified. It’s an important job, and our adversaries are thrilled.
Still, b/c I actually want the best for the USA, I wish him good luck.
It’s not complex.
— Jeff Irwin (@JeffMIrwin) November 13, 2024
Some Republicans have also reacted negatively to the pick.
“Wow,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski reportedly said upon hearing the news. “I’m just surprised because the names that I’ve heard for Secretary of Defense have not included him.”
“Who?” Sen. Bill Cassidy reportedly asked upon hearing of Hegseth’s nomination.
Despite these complaints, Trump isn’t backing down.
“Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country,” he said in a statement Tuesday. “Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down.”
Hegseth’s defenders meanwhile have been busy plastering haters like Elizabeth Warren with truth bombs.
Look:
He is a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He’s been awarded two bronze stars. He is highly educated and will be a REMARKABLE Secretary of Defense. He’s not only up for the task, he has EARNED this position and your episode is only proof of that.
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) November 13, 2024
Pete Hegseth is literally a combat veteran with 2 bronze stars who led a squadron in Baghdad. He’s worked on veterans issues ever since and he’s also a Princeton + Harvard graduate. You do NOT respect our troops or you wouldn’t disrespect Pete by calling him just a Fox host.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) November 13, 2024
Hey bird brain pic.twitter.com/nR0PlUnoVZ
— Sara Rose (@saras76) November 13, 2024
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