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I am going to put together a thread covering Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing. Follow along for clips and commentary.

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Sen. Roger Wicker: "This nomination is unconventional, just like that New York developer who rode down the escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president. That may be what makes Mr. Hegseth an excellent choice."

Wicker: "Regarding his personal conduct, Mr. Hegseth has admitted to falling short, as we all do from time to time. It is noteworthy that the vast majority of the accusations leveled at Mr. Hegseth have come from anonymous sources."

The FBI never interviewed his accusers of sexual assault. bsky.app/profile/atru...

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Wicker: "Regarding his personal conduct, Mr. Hegseth has admitted to falling short, as we all do from time to time. It is noteworthy that the vast majority of the accusations leveled at Mr. Hegseth have come from anonymous sources."

That old saying "where there is smoke, there is fire" Felon 45's nominee to run the defense department is an accused rapist who’s also expressed admiration for the Confederacy. Some of those Senators denied to even speak to him or his accusers. (Joan Ernst is one) Another Clarence Thomas situation

This is the problem with Repugnicans. Everyman goes "oh, he messed up too, he's just like me", not realising they are the prey, while Repugnicans are simply elevating predators to power as of right.

And yet, if your name happens to be Hunter Biden, and your NONanonymous source is convicted of lying to FBI because accusations were false, it's absolutely fine to ignore human imperfections & overprosecute on rarely prosecuted charges because... Biden. SMH...

Dems but we have written letters with names on them. MAGAT word of the day: Neologism, That is a" "anonymous source". No Hegseth it was 5 of your co workers.. Fuck off rapist , go visit Joni Ernest...She wants to be raped since she obviously lied about it before

Hegseth is a deeply dishonorable man. If he really were as decent as he wants people to believe with true love of country and our military, he himself would rescind his own abominable nomination.

Anonymous doesn’t mean not real. It just means that they were threatened by Hegseth and his attorneys that they’d be sued for defamation if they spoke out. Wicker is reprehensible. Just look at Mississippi if you have any questions. Corrupt as the day is long.

“Sure, we all know his conduct sucks, and he’s galactically unqualified, but you’re going to have to destroy a couple of people to prove it….and we all know you won’t do that.” is all I heard.

Sexual assault and rape is not merely “falling short”. These are gravely immoral acts, and we don’t “all” fall into them “from time to time”. Something is DEEPLY wrong with someone to have such a mindset about this. Utter depravity is all this incoming admin is.

To Senator Wicker, For your poorly informer self, Rape is far from “falling short”. It’s a damn crime. Thank you for the opportunity to educate another ignorant republican.

I personally wouldn't describe drugging and raping a woman as "falling short, as we all do from time to time", but I'm not the Senator Roger Wicker. also, when there are witnesses to the lead-up to the rape, an emergency room visit and a police report, can you really say it was an anonymous source?

Sen. Jack Reed: "I do not believe you are qualified to meet the overwhelming demands of this job. We must acknowledge the concerning public reports... the totality of your own writings & alleged conduct would disqualify any service member form holding any leadership position ..."

Sen. Roger Wicker: 'Do you think my Master saw me kissing up to him on TV? Do you think he liked it? Do you? Huh? Woof? Woof? Pant! Pant! I'm the goodest boy! Yes I am! The goodest! Belly rub time!'

Was there more to Wicker’s comments or is this the weakest argument of all? Unconventional= deplorable. There’s noting excellent about nominating another POS with questionable history and behavior.

This nominee is fascist. Just like the corrupt New York developer. Which makes them excellent choices for a fellow fascist like Wicker for whom power and control mean everything. At all cost to us. bsky.app/profile/atru...

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Sen. Roger Wicker: "This nomination is unconventional, just like that New York developer who rode down the escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president. That may be what makes Mr. Hegseth an excellent choice."

What a ridiculous stooge His “real estate developer” is a fraud, swindler, tax dodger, and ultimately a convict for all that. Less suitable than Hegseth yet here we are. Welcome to the Monkey House

Roger Wicker’s logic is ridiculous. He’s an unconventional choice because he’s hugely problematic and without enough experience. And the “anonymous” sources include a not at all anonymous woman who filed a police report after a convention and a letter written by his mom!

Seems like the government-elect is going to be sex-pests of varying degrees, racists, and money-grabbing imbeciles. Democracy can, sometimes, fail, when the voters fully misunderstand.

“He’s completely unqualified, surly, and stupid just like the moron who bungled the response to the most deadly pandemic in 100 years. Let’s put him in charge of 3million people and the largest arsenal in the history of time.”

New York Times Guest Ope Ed: Roger Wicker "Today it was revealed that our friend Pete showed the necessary self control for the SecDef job by stopping at 3 breakfast gin and tonics"

The only way Hegseth could ever become the defense secretary is for him to be nominated by a felon and to have a GOP majority at the senate. Could you imagine how lucky the guy is?

Straight from the Russian propaganda playbook: don’t believe what is plainly evident before you; disbelieve what your own senses tell you, and buy in to - then parrot - the convenient party-provided explanation. 😕🙈🙉📺💬👀🦜 💬

Just think everybody... If Charlie Manson were still alive... Trump would make him Secretary of Justice. Think of the accolades he could heap on ol' Charlie. smdh

WHAT??????????? By that reasoning... wearing your underwear on your head, inside out and backwards...is a good rainhat because it's different? WTAF? GIVE ME A LARGE BREAK. Stop it. Stop trying to shove this horse manure down the American people's throats and call it breakfast.

Generally speaking, SecDef is occupied by people who are pretty smart & understand geopolitics. I'm sure every American would be more comforted to know that the person who commands the most powerful military in the history of Earth will not be outwitted by a f***ing map.

If by "unconventional" you mean he's a rapist (aka a criminal), or minimally he's A SLIMEBALL, then ok, unconventional. But not really: Hegseth is the GOP--sexual assaulter is part of Conservative Republican ethos.

If the only qualification is being unconventional... Then, um: Ain't no rules says a dog can't play secretary of defense.

"This sandwich is unconventional, just like that humble Nazarene carpenter who defied the elites to become the savior of the world. That may be what makes this shit sandwich a delicious choice."

As an alcoholic no I don't think I should ever hold an office that needs to defend our entire country. All it takes is one sip to fall off the wagon. The addiction never goes away. It bloody sucks. Its a lifelong fight no matter what anyone says because our brains are wired that way.

Only could watch 5 minutes of the hearing. It is so obvious that the Republicans and the sexual assaulter nominee have rehearsed agendas. I have heard the woke term every few minutes. Hegseth is a liar and not competent for the job. It is obvious you elect a Felon Clown you get a clown show.

This clown brings up vaccine conspiracies during his confirmation hearing but can't answer basic questions about the challenges facing the DoD communication spectrum... 😬

The fact that he would not answer question about shooting protesters in the leg or would not hesitate to invade Canada or Greenland or not answer questions about an FBI check should be an automatic no vote

Even if he was a decent person (and he is not- he's a pos), he is wholly unqualified. Can't they understand what the consequences of this appointment could mean to our military & the safety of this country? Why can't they understand this?

Yes, she took him to task. It made my blood boil when Tommy Tuberville and all the GOP started making fun of her. Keeeryst! What children. So nothing about his financial maleficence OR his sexual misconduct was in the FBI report. What a joke this all is.

Lol, Tommy Tuberville of all people has no business making fun of ANYBODY. Not the brightest crayon in the box to be sure. Terrible football coach, even worse Senator. He shows his ignorance of the Constitution and anything that he's supposed to be representing every single day.

Pete doesn’t understand the history of quotas. White Christian nationalists, good old boys club, filled agencies with friends & like-minded nut jobs. Quotas assure qualified individuals of color & races are given the same opportunity as those who are not held accountable because of privilege

🌟 We shall call the sequel ~ The Return of the Good Old Boys. One goal of the Heritage Foundation and groups supporting, financing, training 45 cult, is segregating schools, armed forces, US. Pete as DefenseSecretary will start the ball rolling towards corporations also becoming tyrants.

Andrey Gurulev just stated, in the Duma, that now Russia wants a part of Greenland too. You need to stop Trump. He is triggering the next World War. Welcome to the karmic results of the orange critter's actions.

Standards would be grossly compromised to put Pete Hegseth in charge of America’s military. He couldn’t even recount how many are serving. And is blowing a dog whistle to justify the stuff he said in his book.

Call your senators and tell them if they confirm this freak that you’ll see to it that they’re held accountable for everything that comes after. If your Senator is a Dem, send postcards to Republican senators.

Donald Trump spokesman BS Malarkey defended criticism of Pete Hegseth that he was unqualified to be Secretary of Defense because he is a misogynistic, adulterous, fall-down drunk rapist who shouldn't be trust to run a lemonade stand. “Picky! Picky! Picky!” Malarkey said. #BSMALARKEY

I suspect the tourism industry in the USA is going to have their worst downturn on record....Cuz as a proud Canadian living in Canada, me, my friends, my extended family and most Canadians are vowing to boycott America in all manners until Trump is brought to heel. What happened old friend?

Most of us won't blame you one bit! WE don't want to be here either! A minority has been whipped up to be their worst selves and idolize a repugnant man. Unfortunately, Elon Muck came along and bought our election. We realize other countries cannot trust Trump, and fully expect to be pariahs.

The mere fact that Hegseth refused to meet with any Democrat of the Committee prior to today’s hearing is very telling. Hegseth is a tool of tRump & is not open to any ideas other than those espoused by Republicans.

Oooooh - “warrior ethos”. Guessing that qualifies Hegseth. Guessing that this Committee will vote to approve Hegseth. The real battle will be fought in the full Senate. Good thing Hegseth has that good ol’ warrior ethos.

Haha, no doubt. Reminds me of the scene in … I think it was “Up in Smoke,” where Tommy Chong drinks what he thinks is the judge’s water, and spits it out and yells. “It’s fn vodka!”

Had to turn it off. Makes me sick. The republicans supporting this dude - if he gets the job, and we know he'll fuck up - will they get rid of him or shoot him or hide him or give him yet another job to destroy our country? He is unqualified, period. As in knowledgeable. Not to mention a liar.

Remember when Jeff Saturday got called out of the TV booth to be an NFL head coach? How'd that go? Just because Hegseth was decent on TV doesn't mean he has any clue how to be Sec of Defense. Expertise is good y'all.

I just caught some of Sen Duckworth’s absolute gutting of old Pete on The Contrarian(Substack). He just sat there with his balls in his mouth.

Watched most of them. My take: China will make a move on Taiwan sooner rather than later during the next 4 years. The first year is the most probable. Before this yo-yo gets too comfortable in his shoes.

I have been screaming from the rooftops since dipshit nominated him that he will be a danger if confirmed and here we sit. This POS will fuck over millions of vets, he will go after both women and the LGBTQ members of the military. He will set back the military for decades...

Part of the plan man! These people want to get the military re organized with new handpicked leadership, with the sole purpose of reinstating the military draft. Why? In order to get young white men under direct control of DC leadership. There’s no better, faster way to gain control of the youth.

I have been screaming from the rooftops since dipshit nominated him that he will be a danger if confirmed and here we sit. This POS will fuck over millions of vets, he will go after both women and the LGBTQ members of the military. He will set back the military for decades...

To the U.S. Senate: Do NOT capitulate in advance! Trump is testing how far he can go. THESE are the votes that can tell him there are limits!! Your duty is to our COUNTRY, not him. Look in the mirror before every vote. Leave the cowards and cultists behind and be a PATRIOT, not an ACCOMPLICE!