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I understand Sen. Susan Collins, who was previously noncommittal about the Pete Hegseth nomination to lead the Defense Department, has now met with him. I also understand that Sen. Joni Ernst, who was previously quite critical of Hegseth, has decided to “support Pete through this [nomination] process” seemingly because of threats from the MAGA contingent of the Republican Party to “primary” her in the next election.
I have great concerns about the sexual misconduct allegations against Hegseth, as well as the reports of excessive drinking and mismanaging two veterans’ organizations to the point that he was fired from both. This is not someone who is fit to lead the largest, most complex, and most powerful military organization in the world; particularly as he would be responsible for giving advice to a headstrong president. I am hoping Collins shows more resolve than Ernst and simply votes against this proposed appointment. There are far better candidates to fill this position.
And on a related subject, Tulsi Gabbard’s apparently favorable positions on Syrian and Russian leadership under the Assad and Putin regimes is simply unacceptable for anyone nominated as the director on national intelligence. She may not be a willing conscript to America’s enemies, but there is no way she should even be given intelligence clearance, much less the authority to head any sort of intelligence agency. Once again, my hope is that Susan Collins does the right thing, and that a more qualified candidate is proposed and confirmed.
Donald Holmes
Sedgwick