« Reply #1861 on: February 17, 2025, 04:08:05 am »
Trump Responds to GOP Chair of Armed Services Committee Calling Hegseth’s Speech a ‘Rookie Mistake’https://www.mediaite.com/trump/trump-responds-to-gop-chair-of-armed-services-committee-calling-hegseths-speech-a-rookie-mistake/President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter Friday about Sen. Roger Wicker’s (R-MS) comments criticizing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s speech about Ukraine as a “rookie mistake,” and replied he had not heard about it.
Hegseth’s remarks at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels Wednesday — his first visit to NATO headquarters — raised eyebrows when he said that Ukraine would not be allowed to join NATO or return to its borders before the Russian invasion. These comments were criticized for yielding key negotiation points before the talks had even begun, and Hegseth soon walked them back.
Wicker, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, shepherded the confirmation hearings for Hegseth’s nomination to lead DOD. He was asked about the new Defense Secretary’s comments at the Munich Security Conference. The Mississippi senator replied that he was “surprised” by Hegseth’s remarks.
Hegseth “made a rookie mistake in Brussels,” said Wicker. “I don’t know who wrote the speech — it is the kind of thing Tucker Carlson could have written, and Carlson is a fool,” referring to the former Fox News host who has frequently bashed U.S. support for Ukraine and made fawning comments and conducted flattering interviews of Vladimir Putin.
“I prefer we didn’t give away negotiating positions before we actually get started talking about the end of the Russia-Ukraine war,” Wicker added.
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Further:
Trump was asked about Wicker’s comments Friday as reporters were gathered in the Oval Office as he signed executive orders.
Wicker “had some tough words for him overseas,” said the reporter. “He said it was a ‘rookie mistake’ for Secretary Hegseth to outline what would or would not happen as far as Ukraine’s membership in NATO goes –”
“I haven’t heard that,” Trump interjected. “I mean, Roger’s a very good friend of mine. And, uh, Pete is obviously — he’s been doing a great job. I haven’t heard — let me look at — you’re telling me something I haven’t heard about.”
“Were you aware of what Hegseth was going to say in his speech at NATO?” the reporter asked.
“Generally speaking, yeah,” replied Trump. “Generally speaking, I was. I’ll speak to Roger. I’ll speak to Pete. I’ll find out.”
« Last Edit: February 17, 2025, 04:10:40 am by Timber Rattler »
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