Staff Reports
Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma has waded into the murky waters of media bias, imploring his fellow Senators to cut through the cacophony of negativity surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s recent appointees. The Democrat-led media circus has taken aim at the selections of Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary and Kash Patel as FBI director, blasting them with misinformation and half-truths like a rogue firehose. Lankford isn’t buying into the drama, instead focusing on what really matters: the actual qualifications and intentions of these nominees.
Take Hegseth, for instance, who has faced unfounded rumors about his supposed issues with alcohol during his tenure at Fox News. These whispers of a scandal have been thoroughly refuted by Hegseth’s colleagues, but that hasn’t stopped the media from trying to make a story out of thin air. In a world where reputations can be marred by mere insinuation, Lankford’s defense was a refreshing reminder that qualification should trump sensationalism, especially when it comes to the leadership that will shape American defense policy.
Senator Lankford bravely took to Newsmax TV’s “Wake Up America” to set the record straight, stressing the importance of moving beyond the media’s irrelevant noise. He highlighted that every Senator has the opportunity to meet with these nominees in a professional setting, where personal biases can be set aside for a moment of genuine engagement. Lankford emphasized that engaging with the nominees should not be overshadowed by the media’s attempt to tarnish their reputations. Instead, he called for a focus on the “constitutional process” that governs these appointments, advocating for support of Trump’s efforts to put qualified individuals in positions of power.
Lankford chalks up Trump appointee criticisms as ‘media noise’ https://t.co/1I4uQxISRj
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 5, 2024
While Lankford may not be personally privy to Hegseth’s qualifications due to his committee assignments, it’s worth noting that Hegseth’s candidacy boasts the backing of several other prominent Senators. With endorsements from heavyweights like Marsha Blackburn, Markwayne Mullin, and Tommy Tuberville, Hegseth has the kind of support that turns heads and raises eyebrows—especially among those intent on maintaining a conservative agenda in Washington. It seems even some Senators recognize when a solid pick has been made.
But here’s the kicker: Hegseth’s career is littered with real-world experience that is hard to come by in today’s political landscape. Serving multiple tours in hotspots like Afghanistan and Iraq, along with his time at Guantanamo Bay, adds substantial weight to his candidacy. Critics have focused on Hegseth’s controversial comments about women in combat roles as fodder for their attacks, but the reality is that real-world military experience equips him with insights few can rival. As the Senate continues its deliberations on these appointments, one has to wonder when the left will stop playing the blame game and start focusing on the expertise that can actually lead America forward.
