“I Suggest You Do A Little Homework” Key Moments from Hegseth’s Disastrous Hearing
Washington, DC – Today, Pete Hegseth met the Senate Armed Services Committee for a disastrous confirmation hearing that proved how deeply unqualified he is to be Secretary of Defense. VoteVets Live gave a real-time reaction to the hearing and we’re flagging below key moments you can’t miss.
At a time when the military is facing a recruiting crisis, Hegseth lacks the leadership skills and experience necessary to ensure military preparedness. Furthermore, he has yet to dispel any notions that he won’t use his position to further Republican assaults on servicemembers’ healthcare and attempts to make our world less safe by changing longstanding US foreign policy towards our allies.
With Trump’s threats towards our allies increasing and experts saying “Pete Hegseth’s culture war will weaken America’s armed forces” – VoteVets will be looking for answers to the questions laid out below and preparing to hold senators accountable who proceed with confirming someone so deeply unqualified to lead our military.
KEY MOMENTS FROM HEGSETH’S DISASTROUS HEARING:
Hegseth Dodging Senator Slotkin on Illegal Orders
Senator Elissa Slotkin: “Do you believe that there is such a thing as an illegal order? […] Would you stand in the breach and push back if given an illegal order…This isn’t a hypothetical. Your predecessor in a Trump Administration, Secretary Esper, was asked – and did – use uniform military to clear unarmed protestors.”
Hegseth: *dodges*
Senator Duckworth: “I Suggest You Do A Little Homework”
Senator Tammy Duckworth exposes that Pete Hegseth cannot name a nation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or speak to the diplomatic agreements we have with them.
Senator Gillibrand: “What’s Wrong With A Mom?”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “You said in your statement you don’t want politics in the DoD. Everything you’ve said in these public statements is politics. I don’t want women. I don’t want moms. What’s wrong with a mom, by the way? Once you have babies, you therefore are no longer able to be lethal? I mean, you’re basically saying women after they have children can’t ever serve in the military in a combat role. It’s a silly thing to say.”