This dish is truly delightful and a great way to wrap up the week. Pete Hegseth, a military veteran and former host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” has been officially appointed as Secretary of Defense by a narrow 50-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote to break the tie, resulting in a 51-50 outcome. The reaction? It’s like fireworks going off in the Pentagon.
Live shot of neoncons after the confirmation of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense pic.twitter.com/qK2b7gR42I
— Dan Hauser (@hauserdan) January 25, 2025
Hashtag: “Winning.”Â
Of course, the Democrats have to do their requisite grandstanding and hand-wringing over this development, and they never fail to disappoint.
First to weigh in: Sen. Liz Warren (D-MA), who warned that the confirmation of Hegseth means the world just became less safe.
Pete Hegseth’s confirmation will make our nation less safe.
It is a sad and dangerous day when Republican Senators put loyalty to President Trump ahead of our national security.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 25, 2025
“Sad and Dangerous,” should be the title of her next book.
And all that emotion and criticism we saw from the female senators before? Well, they’re taking it up a notch this time. In particular, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a veteran herself, is making quite a statement with her strong words.
Urgent News: A vast majority of Republicans have just given their approval for the appointment of the most inexperienced Secretary of Defense in the history of our country. This decision is expected to have repercussions for both our military personnel and the nation as a whole.
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) January 25, 2025
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) disparaged Hegseth’s Bronze Star, claiming Hegseth failed to meet the “basic standards” servicemembers must live up to.Â
Time and again, Pete Hegseth has failed to meet the most basic standards of conduct our servicemembers are required to live up to.
With zero relevant experience & serious, credible concerns about his alcohol abuse & treatment of women—Senate Republicans confirmed him anyway.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) January 25, 2025
Excuse me?!
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) expressed concern over the 100,000 servicemembers of Georgia who Warnock speaks for… or something.Â
As a voice for nearly 100,000 servicemembers in Georgia, I understand the sacrifices our servicemembers make for our country.
I voted against Pete Hegseth’s nomination because I fear confirming an unqualified and unfit nominee would put those servicemembers in harm’s way.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) January 25, 2025
You mean the same servicemembers who backed Hegseth 1000 percent? Read the room, buddy.
On the punditry side, Never Trump and Bulwark-bro Tim Miller is quite perplexed by how things are done in the Senate.
Absolutely ludicrous to confirm a Secretary of DEFENSE with bipartisan opposition via a tiebreaker.
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) January 25, 2025
Cryin’ Adam Kinzinger is also struggling with the concept of the vice president having to provide a tie-breaking vote; like, it’s the only duty of the vice president outlined in the Constitution.
Imagine having to have Vance break a tie to get you job. Lol, such a mandate
Hegseth will be a disaster
— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@AdamKinzinger) January 25, 2025
But chances are, neither Miller nor Kinzinger has ever read it.
The Democrats failed to get a Republican scalp, and another Trump cabinet nominee is now in place. Along with the servicemembers over whom Hegseth will have oversight, the American people are feeling relieved and a lot more confident in the future.
