Republicans may be experiencing their first instance of “be careful of what you wish for — because you just may get it,” all because their hero — President-elect Donald Trump, has decided to nominate Fox News Pete Hegseth as his secretary of defense on Tuesday.
This left a few of the GOP’s persuasion rather befuddled and scratching their heads, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who was asked what he thought about the nomination. He reportedly responded, “Really? I’d have to think about it,” per Mediaite.
Tuberville may have to do more than think about it. Sure, Hegseth is a military veteran and a popular host on Fox News, but this kind of experience hardly makes him suitable for such an important job. This position carries the responsibility of defending the entire country as well as overseeing our interests overseas.
It seems like other Republicans weren’t exactly enthralled with Trump’s choice. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ark.) responded, “Wow … I’m just surprised because the names that I’ve heard for Secretary of Defense have not included him.”
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Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) simply asked, “Who?”
At least one Republican, Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), seemed more optimistic about Hegseth’s nomination, describing the Fox News host as an “impressive individual.” Whatever floats his boat, I guess.
GOP Sens on Pete Hegseth as SecDef:
Murk: “Wow…I'm just surprised because the names that I've heard for Secretary of Defense have not included him.”
Budd: “He's an impressive individual.”
Cassidy: “Who?”
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) November 13, 2024
In a statement Tuesday, Trump announced his decision to nominate the Fox & Friends Weekend co-host as secretary of defense.
“I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense,” he wrote. “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops and for the Country. 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.”
Of course, Gen. James N. Mattis and Mark T. Esper may have some thoughts they would like to share with Hegseth about working for Trump. Especially since Mattis went on record to tell respected journalist Bob Woodward that he agreed with sentiments offered by Gen. Mark Milley, Trump’s former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who told Woodward that Trump was “the most dangerous person ever.”
Of course, Fox News went all gushy about Hegseth, whose last show for the network was on Sunday. It described him as “an exception host” and heaped praise on “his insights and analysis, especially about the military.”
“We are extremely proud of his work at FOX News and wish him the best of luck in Washington,” the network concluded.
So, I wonder how long it will take for Trump to become disenchanted with Hegseth? Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, and John Kelly, all of whom held critical posts that they were relieved of in the Trump administration, could probably tell Hegseth a thing or two.
Featured image via Political Tribune
