Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said the Senate's confirmation hearing for Mike Waltz's role as US ambassador will not be underestimated.
Waltz, who was moved from the original post as a national security adviser, must respond to the Pentagon leak and address the ongoing use of Signals, a secure online messaging platform where he and President Trump's top defense officials exchange sensitive information.
“This will really, really look at Signal Gate in detail, and it will give us the opportunity to really investigate the issue,” Smith, a ranking member of the House Armed Forces Committee, said in a Thursday appearance on News Nation's “Hill.”
“It's going to be difficult for Mike Waltz. It's going to be difficult for Pete Hegses. But don't forget, Donald Trump will be difficult too. Donald Trump chose these people,” Smith told Anchor Blake Berman.
Former national security authorities continue to criticize Waltz and Heggs for not processing carefully classified information. The report claims that while the two are in the US and abroad, they often talk about signals, and that secret information could be intercepted by foreign enemies.
Smith said their repeated mistakes were indications of inexperienced.
“This is why it's important to choose people with experience. A lot of people, including myself, said Pete Hegses is not entitled to be Secretary of Defense. Personally, I don't think that's controversial.
Trump has previously said he chose both Waltz and Hegses to create a new wave of leadership in the Pentagon, but his decision cost him public scrutiny from lawmakers and constituents.
“He didn't know what he was doing. He made a lot of mistakes,” Smith said of Hegses.
