Staff Reports
Republican senators are lining up like eager ducks in a shooting gallery, confident that Army veteran Pete Hegseth will be the next defense secretary in the Trump administration. After a powwow with Hegseth and Vice President-Elect JD Vance, these GOP stalwarts are all but draping themselves in “Make America Great Again” flags in anticipation of a smooth confirmation process. Hegseth, who proudly boasts a track record as a decorated veteran, seems to be the cure for the military’s woes, which have been caused by the last administration’s obsession with wokeness.
In a meeting that can only be described as a love-fest for Hegseth, several Republican senators took turns praising his qualifications and military background. Senators like John Barrasso and Marsha Blackburn were practically giddy after their discussions, claiming that Hegseth will focus on revitalizing the military rather than diverting resources to social justice initiatives. Barrasso even hinted at what has become a major talking point: the idea that America’s military should remain the world’s mightiest force, not a training ground for leftist ideologies. It seems that the GOP is ready to push back against any attempts to force political correctness into the ranks of armed forces.
The REAL Deal: "The people are, and would be, overwhelmingly in favor of someone who's going to base hiring on merit, not on racial characteristics." Senator Rand Paul on Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth. Will Cain said it best, “Pete Hegseth isn’t a Pentagon careerist,… pic.twitter.com/LrqFnR06FY
— John Cremeans USA (@JohnCremeansUSA) November 24, 2024
While some might raise an eyebrow at the 2017 sexual assault allegations against Hegseth—an issue that fizzled out without any actual charges—the Republican senators were quick to dismiss these as distractions. They are more focused on the man’s decorated career and his unwavering dedication to serving service members. Mullin and others could hardly contain their enthusiasm, declaring Hegseth “perfect” for the position and claiming he’s got no weaknesses. Apparently, the only thing left to do is hoist him onto the Pentagon throne and let him work his magic.
His supporters came charging out of the gate to reinforce the idea that Hegseth embodies the core values of the military: honor, strength, and the ability to deliver a swift kick to the enemy’s backside. It appears the chorus of endorsements ranged from emphasizing his combat experience to flat-out declaring him the “right man for the job.” Even Rick Scott, a fellow senate heavyweight, is all smiles and believes Hegseth is the star the military has been waiting for.
Despite the usual he-said, she-said in the political arena, the atmosphere seems ripe for a rapid confirmation in January. It appears that Hegseth, with the backing of a cadre of Republican senators who are hell-bent on restoring order in Washington, will likely be on the fast track to the Pentagon. If the rest of the Senate goes as smoothly as this initial meet-and-greet, the only real obstacle Hegseth might face is finding a comfy chair in a building that’s been known to be anything but hospitable to strong leadership in recent years.
