Unconventional
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, came under fire during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday as the top Democrat on the Senate committee accused him of lacking the “character and composure” to lead the U.S. military.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, is one of the most controversial figures ever nominated to be Secretary of Defense. The 44-year-old has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military, questioning whether the top U.S. general has the job because he’s Black. Prior to his nomination, Hegseth strongly opposed women in combat roles.
White men are supposed to be in charge of everything. That’s just how it is.
A number of episodes from Hegseth’s past have sparked concern among lawmakers, including a 2017 sexual assault allegation that did not result in charges and which he strongly denies, and accusations of excessive drinking and financial mismanagement at veterans’ organizations.
Other than that he’s an absolute prize.
Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican who leads the committee, strongly endorsed Hegseth, saying: “Admittedly, this nomination is unconventional. The nominee is unconventional.”
Euphemism alert!
“Unconventional” can mean a lot of things. In the case of Trump and the people he appoints it means unqualified, reckless, misogynist, racist, corrupt, ignorant…
If confirmed, Hegseth could make good on Trump’s promises to rid the military of generals he accuses of pursuing progressive diversity policies. Reuters has reported that the Trump administration was drawing up a list of generals to fire.
Because only white men are good enough to do anything important.
I’m sure the Americans here will correct me if I am wrong, but I understood that the military was one of the few well paid career options available to Black people, men and women who would have had a far greater range of career choices had they been born white.
It should then come as no surprise that some of those Black people will excel at what they do, that they would move through the ranks, and that a few would rise to the very top echelon.
Perhaps the Rethuglicans should as k why George H W Bush appointed Colin Powell or George W Bush appointed General William E. “Kip” Ward to their respective positions, the Bush’s not being noted for their enthusiasm for DEI.
This attack on DEI is just another way for racists to be racist while pretending they have a higher motive.
Well said.