OPINION:
It’s no surprise that all the Senate’s Democrats voted against confirming new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (“Pete Hegseth overcomes attacks to narrowly win Senate confirmation as defense secretary,” Web, Jan. 25). But three Republicans — Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan M. Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — all voted against Hegseth.
Collins represents Maine, so her vote isn’t a shock. McConnell and Murkowski both have personal ongoing feuds with President Trump. Hegseth is a well-qualified, erstwhile Army National Guard major with serious experience. He’s authored books and is highly educated. Yet his qualification were questioned by the same people who voted to confirm Biden’s defense secretary, Gen. Lloyd Austin. Austin was a huge part of the bungled Afghanistan withdrawal, and he pulled a “Houdini” act last year, disappearing to go to the hospital — without telling Biden. All but two senators and five non-voting senators confirmed Austin for his position.
Biden’s secretary of transportation, Pete “Pothole” Buttigieg — who couldn’t even get potholes filled when he was mayor of South Bend, Indiana — had no transportation experience worth mentioning. Yet the Democrats easily voted for his confirmation, too. He was the worst transportation secretary we have ever had. It took him weeks to go to Ohio after the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment in 2023, and he was absent on parental leave to adopt a baby during the worst supply-side crisis in U.S. history. Yet only two Republicans voted against his confirmation.
So when all Senators vote this week on Trump national intelligence director pick Tulsi Gabbard, health secretary choice Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FBI director nominee Kash Patel, let us all remember the lousy nominees the Democrats previously voted for. These three are highly qualified.
R.J. “DICK” LANDON SR.
Landover, Maryland
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