Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Monday on MSNBC's “Deadline” that President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is “so unqualified” that it borders on a “joke.” said.
Host Nicole Wallace asked, “Do you know anything about the background check on Pete Hegseth?”
Blumenthal said: Access is denied. In fact, we have asked many questions, as well as other committee members, and have requested other records. I have written twice to committee leadership asking for documents and other materials regarding the financial mismanagement of the two veterans organizations he assaulted.
“But let me be clear, Nicole, based on what we know from the public record to date, he is probably the first person in recent history to hold a position of significant influence in the U.S. government. He is probably the most unqualified candidate for this.”
Blumenthal continued, “Except that the position of commanding more than 3.4 million Americans, putting themselves in uniform, putting themselves at risk, risking their lives and devoting themselves to our national defense is extremely grave.'' , that would be disingenuous and a joke,” he added. Also, he has never run an organization with a budget of more than $15 million. And in these two organizations, he ran deficits every year and spent more than he received. So I think it's enough at this point to say to all members of the committee that there should be no vote against Pete Hegseth. ”
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