Democrats Smear Trump’s Pentagon Pick
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a highly decorated combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently voiced sharp criticisms of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. Duckworth, who has served in the military and understands the demands of national security leadership, argued that Hegseth is deeply unqualified to lead the Pentagon, which oversees over 3 million personnel and manages a budget exceeding $830 billion.
During a press call, Duckworth suggested that Hegseth’s management experience was minimal, claiming, “The manager of the average Applebee’s probably has more experience managing people than Pete Hegseth.” She argued that Hegseth’s most significant leadership role to date has been overseeing an infantry platoon—comprising a small group of roughly 40 soldiers—adding that this experience doesn’t compare to the scale and complexity of managing the Department of Defense.
As the Senate prepares for Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, Duckworth warned that appointing someone with such limited qualifications to head the Pentagon could pose serious risks to national security. “Being Secretary of Defense is one of the most important jobs in the country,” Duckworth said. “The individual in this role must possess the leadership and managerial skills necessary to protect our nation, ensure the readiness of our military, and manage a vast and complex budget. Hegseth simply does not meet those criteria.”
Duckworth expressed concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding Hegseth’s background investigation, particularly regarding a 2017 sexual assault allegation and accusations of mismanagement at the veterans’ advocacy group, Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), where Hegseth had a prominent role. While Hegseth has denied these allegations, Duckworth pointed out that the Senate’s review of his FBI background check may be limited, with only a select few—such as the ranking member and chairman of the Armed Services Committee—having access to the full report.
Duckworth’s critique comes as a stark reminder that while Hegseth may be a familiar face from his media appearances, leading the Department of Defense requires far more than television popularity. For many Republicans, the question remains: Is Hegseth truly prepared to shoulder the immense responsibility of defending the nation and overseeing its military infrastructure? Given the stakes, this nomination warrants a thorough review, ensuring that the best person possible is chosen for such a critical role.
