“Clear threat” to national security

Rejection of the false Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary Shouldn’t have been a traveler. A generation ago, someone with Hegset’s baggage would never have been nominated in the first place.

I spoke with us Senator Jack Reid last Wednesday about the chilling effect Hegset’s confirmation will have service members, veterans and the nation.

As Reid said, “(Hegseth) lacks the necessary character, competence and dedication to do the job. Indeed, he is the least qualified nominee for secretary of defense in modern history.”

To put that in perspective, Reid has voted for all nine previous nominees for secretary of defense since 1997, including President Donald Trump’s first, General James Mattis.

Late Friday night, the Senate confirmed Hegseth by a 51-50 vote, with Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky joining all Democrats in voting against him and Vice President J. Vance.

Educator Reid’s easy falling out with Hegseth at an Armed Services Committee hearing made national headlines.

serial infidelity, Two divorces and allegations of sexual harassment have dogged Hegseth for years. While denying some allegations and downplaying others, he blamed his admitted sexual misconduct on being “highly intoxicated” – as if that made the behavior normal.

Hegset then had the chutzpah to promise to stop drinking if confirmed.

Reflecting on the vote, Reid said, “The problem does not concern the confirmation or rejection of an individual candidate. This is about the Senate’s constitutional duty to consult and consent based on facts, not on intimidation or blind political allegiance.

“Here we are talking about what is a constitutional issue of the first order. With this confirmation, the constitution was ignored.”

What this means for active duty service members

Hegseth has repeatedly said he opposes lowering standards for women to qualify for combat assignments, or for elite units such as the Special Forces and the SEALs.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-tall. protection.

Hegseth registers with anti-Muslim rhetoric, and argued that our military should focus on recruiting “the young, patriotic, Christian people who have traditionally filled our ranks.”

Reed fears that this is a clear signal to women (and religious minorities) that their rights will not be protected, nor will they be given the opportunity to serve and advance. “This will further undermine our military readiness,” he concluded.

How Hegset’s confirmation might affect veterans

Many veterans may feel that Hegseth’s decision was too far above their pay grades to affect them personally.

But we should all be concerned about Hegseth’s bid to reduce veterans’ benefits and his criticism of veterans who apply for them. CNN reports that Hegseth “has lobbied for policies that would limit VA care and believes veterans should claim fewer government benefits.”

It would also severely limit the number of future veterans eligible for VA care at all.

Reid calls Hegseth and his nomination dangerous

Reid told me he’s concerned about the politicization of our military — something our country has scrupulously avoided for 250 years.

As Secdef, Hegset can dismiss military leaders and replace them with generals and admirals who will do Maga’s bidding. “He’s already said he wants to fire the heads of the joint chiefs as well as the chief of naval operations,” Reid said.

“Last week they shot the commandant of the coast guard, who is a woman. That probably had as much to do with her firing as anything else,” Reid added.

The military services are already struggling to achieve a set of goals. Sen. Jackie Rosen, D-Nev., expressed concern about the chilling effect Hegseth’s recruitment policy could have. In addition to driving out female and minority recruits, she’s worried about benefits being cut.

“Who will join the military?” She asks if there is no assurance that they will be properly cared for. Our service members need to know “what kind of sacrifices they and their families are going to make when they come home.”

Hegseth suggested that the US should not follow the Geneva Convention or the laws of war. “It will send a signal to soldiers to do what they want to do and not be a disciplined force. It’s very devastating,” Reid added.

It would also sow fear abroad, adding to Reid’s concerns about Hegset’s ability to be taken seriously by either our adversaries or our allies. For example, Reid cited Hegset’s strong anti-Muslim bias, pointing to his specific proposal to build a Jewish temple on the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a revered Muslim holy site in Jerusalem.

“Jordan, one of our strongest allies, has been in charge of this sacred site for decades,” Reid told me. Given the sensitivity of the situation in the Middle East: “I think Hegset would be uncomfortable talking to the king of Jordan.”

Reid concludes that Hegset is quite simply dangerous. “He poses a clear threat to all service members – and therefore our national security – given his lack of experience, his temperament and his troubling record, particularly with women and people of color – all of which are a critical part of our all-volunteer military and veteran communities.” .

A campaign of intimidation

Hacksett’s supporters reportedly led an intense, behind-the-scenes effort to silence potential witnesses and keep Republican senators in line.

Reid didn’t mince his words in denying these untouchable tactics. “Intimidation and threats are an unfortunate development directly attributed to President Trump.”

Trump warned lawmakers that Hagseth’s confirmation was a priority for him — forcing Hagseth to vote on a loyalty test. Republicans who have expressed reservations about Hegseth’s qualifications face pressure that could end their careers or worse. Those in the upcoming election cycle are particularly vulnerable.

Elon Musk and other Trump allies have pledged to fund primary challenges against Republicans who opposed Hegset. Other right-wing megadonors have funded campaigns to intimidate or discredit potential witnesses who might have undermined Hegseth’s confirmation.

Reid told me, “The Senate has a constitutional obligation to advise and consent to presidential nominations. That should not be compromised by any senator.

“This is not the American way. But if he works here, he will be transferred to any other aspect (of government). This is more than unfortunate; This threatens the main fabric of the country.”

This article originally appeared in Providence Magazine: Sen. Reid: Hegseth’s nomination is a “dangerous” move for the military