The Detroit News has published an editorial urging the Senate to reject President-elect Trump's nominations of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) as attorney general and Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense. .
“By rejecting Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Hegseth, the Republican-controlled Senate should establish its intention to vigorously fulfill its advisory and consent role and establish its independence from the administration,” the newspaper wrote. are.
The article said the board generally had “no major objections” to Trump's selection.
“However, two of Trump's nominees to key positions, Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, were so unacceptable that Trump withdrew their names. Or it should be rejected by the Senate.
“Mr. Gaetz, a Republican congressman from Florida, is unfit to remain in Congress, let alone assume leadership of one of the most powerful branches of the federal government,” the board added. He also mentioned the suspicion that he had acted in a similar manner. minor.
Senators have already expressed concerns about his nomination.
“It would be reckless for President Trump to appoint a man who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use,” the editorial said. “The charges also include accepting inappropriate gifts, giving special favors to friends, and obstructing investigations into his wrongdoing.”
The magazine later confirmed that it was asking the House Ethics Committee to release its report on Gaetz, against the wishes of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).
“The American people need to know exactly who President Trump is using to enforce the nation's laws and protect the Constitution,” the board said.
“Although Mr. Gates denies the charges, the powers vested in the U.S. attorney general require that the person in that position not even have a whiff of scandal. Gates has a whiff of scandal. .”
The Detroit News subsequently criticized Hegseth's lack of military leadership experience and rhetoric surrounding the exclusion of “woke” generals from diverse backgrounds.
The paper cited Mr. Hegseth's past statements about an “ideological awakening in the military” and said, “Clearly that is the main reason Mr. Trump chose him.”
The Detroit News objected to Hegseth's control of the $1.13 trillion defense spending budget, writing, “Hegseth is completely unqualified for such a role.” “His only management experience was as CEO of a veterans advocacy organization.”
The editorial also briefly raised concerns about President Trump's nominations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).
