Republican strategist Scott Jennings on Tuesday night criticized Washington Post columnist Katherine Rampel for downplaying Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s military service.
President-elect Donald Trump on Nov. 12 nominated Hegseth, a decorated veteran of the Global War on Terror before becoming co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” to be secretary of defense. . Lampel referred to Hegseth during a panel discussion on “CNN NewsNight,” a TV host about Hegseth’s appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. (Related: Scott Jennings says Americans are ‘out’ of J6, sends CNN panel to Tizzy)
“Why are you disparaging this guy’s accomplishments? I don’t get it, 20 years, medals, Ivy Leaguer –” Jennings said, adding, “He’s a TV host, is that all he is? That’s not his main qualification.”
clock:
“That’s his main qualification, that’s his main qualification,” Rumpel said, and Jennings interjected, saying: You are slandering this man’s service. ”
While serving in the Minnesota National Guard, Hegseth was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, and was twice awarded the Bronze Star. According to To President Trump’s November 12th release. He also led two veterans organizations: Vets for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America.
“Not every serving member is qualified to be in charge of the Department of Defense,” Rumpel said, to which Jennings responded: And sorry, that’s just stupid. ”
“His primary qualification is being a warfighter, and he will be the closest combatant ever to the non-commissioned officers who run the Department of Defense,” Jennings added. He’s decorated. He’s an Ivy Leaguer. And he knows what he’s doing. ”
Mr. Lampel and Mr. Jennings clashed again over Mr. Hegseth’s claims to pardon some military members after CNN host Abby Phillip intervened to defend the former defense secretaries. (Related: Scott Jennings defends Hegseth while reminding CNN Panel America: “I simply voted against the expected Washington nomination.”)
“I think he’s closer to the average noncommissioned officer who has been deployed, deployed, deployed, than anyone who’s been in this job for a long time,” Jennings said, adding that Rumpel said: That may be why he defended war criminals.”
“Oh, is he a war criminal?” Jennings replied.
Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst announced after the hearing that she would vote to confirm Hegseth.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
