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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."

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 ..."

Reed notes that a report detailing Hegseth's alleged egregious financial mismanagement of a veterans group has not been made available to any government agencies

Reed: "You are the ninth nominee for secretary of defense that I have had the honor to consider. I have voted in favor of all your predecessors, including those in the first Trump administration. Unfortunately, you lack the character, composure, & competence to hold the position"

Wicker begins his questioning: "Let's get into this allegation about, um, sexual assault, inappropriate workplace behavior, alcohol abuse, and financial mismanagement ..." Hegseth claims it's a "coordinated smear campaign orchestrated in the media against us."

Wicker shuts down Reed's request for a second round of questions (second rounds are quite standards during confirmation hearings of this sort)

Reed: "All of your public comments don't talk meritocracy. They talk about liberal democratic efforts that are destroying the military, 'those people are our enemies.' That's not meritocracy. That's a political view. Your goal as I see it emerging is to politicize the military"

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Hegseth was forced to step down by two nonprofit advocacy groups that he ran, Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America in the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct. He spent organization money like it was his own cash.

Are you watching the same hearing? Reed looks like he’s got one foot in the grave. If we harnessed all the electricity coming from the guy, we might be able to toast some bread. If given a year. He’s terrible.

I think you may be talking about the chair or Angus King who Hegseth bowled right over. I still feel Reed did a good job in his opening however, Hirono really took hegseth to task

REED: Would you explain what a jagoff is? HEGSETH: I don't think I need to REED: Why? HEGSETH: Because the men & women watching understand REED: Perhaps some of my colleagues don't understand HEGSETH: It would be a jag officer who puts his or her own priorities in front of the warfighters

Like ... Someone who puts his alcohol consumption and womanizing above the sanctity of marriage and his responsibilities to his children, Pete Hegseth? Or is that a jag-ass? Or just a really sad drunk morally compromised man who needs therapy?

Democrats: Hey, did you mean it in the fall of 2024 when you called anyone who isn't a Trump supporter your enemy and said that women don't belong in the military? Hegseth: The media is dishonest.

During this testimony, I kept thinking to myself well, Lindsay Graham was a commissioned officer in the JAG Corps. And then I also can also appreciate that Lindsay Graham is indeed a jagoff. LOL.... So two things can be true!

As we get deeper into Hegseth's confirmation hearing, let me say that if you appreciate this thread, please support my work by signing up for my newsletter. Independent media will be vital during the second Trump administration and paid subscribers make my work possible.

publicnotice.coSubscribe to Public NoticeSign up for independent, incisive coverage of US politics and media, right in your inbox four times a week. Click to read Public Notice, by Aaron Rupar, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousan...