Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ailing.) on Monday stated President-elect Trump’s nominee for Protection Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is “vulnerable” to blackmail from U.S. international adversaries and reiterated her stance that he’s not “qualified” to run the Pentagon.
“It would sow confusion because our leaders in the military would not know to what they could talk to the secretary of defense about,” Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Companies Committee, stated throughout her Monday look on MSNBC’s “Reid Out.”
“And by the way, for our allies, I would be reluctant to share information with the United States military, our leadership information that would keep us safe and keep our troops safe because they didn’t know this man is compromised,” she added.
“Remember, the point of the background check is to make sure the person you put forward can’t be compromised, can’t be blackmailed, can’t be bribed,” Duckworth stated. “These are all types of things that background check is supposed to be providing information to me, the senator who is going to be part of the advise and consent.”
His nomination drew heavy criticism from Democrats in late 2024, expecially after varied media experiences detailing sexual assault allegations towards the veteran and alleged mismanagement of funds whereas working at Involved Veterans for America (CVA). He has denied the assault allegation and characterised the claims of mismanagement and unprofessional conduct whereas on the advocacy group as smears.
Recently, his nomination appears to have picked up some steam.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a key vote on the panel who has spoken out towards sexual abuse int he navy, has signaled help for the Trump nominee.
Hegseth has accomplished his FBI background examine, however the report has solely been seen by Senate Armed Companies Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Rating Democrat Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.).
Duckworth, a former Military helicopter pilot, has been essential of Hegseth’s nomination, claiming that he’s unqualified and doesn’t possess the administration expertise to move the Pentagon.
“So I can’t even make up my mind whether or not this man personally is vulnerable to being blackmailed,” Duckworth stated on Monday. “What if the next woman comes forward while he’s secretary of defense and say, I’m going to come forward? And I have I have the receipts on you and that sexual assault and I have tape and video, whatever that is. What if Russia comes forward and says that. Now we have a secretary of defense who can be bribed or who can be blackmailed by a foreign power.”
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