Dem senator who bashed Hegseth's qualifications stands by DOD sec who oversaw botched Afghan withdrawal
Story by Andrew Miller, Julia Johnson • 3h
Top Dem asked about Biden Pentagon pick amid Hegseth criticisms
FIRST ON FOX: A Democrat senator admitted Tuesday that he would support Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's confirmation again if the vote was held today despite Austin's many controversial actions and repeatedly grilling Trump's SecDef nominee Pete Hegseth over his qualifications earlier in the day.
"Would you vote for Lloyd Austin if there were a vote on him today?" Fox News Digital asked Blumenthal on Tuesday.
"I would support General Austin as Secretary of Defense," Blumenthal responded. "I did when he was nominated. I would support Secretary Mattis that was nominated by President Trump during his first term. I would not support this nominee because [Hegseth] lacks the financial management skills, the character and confidence, as well as the moral compass."
During the hearing, Blumenthal told Hegseth, "I don't believe that you can tell this committee, or the people of America that you are qualified to lead them. I would support you as the spokesperson for the Pentagon. I don't dispute your communication skills, but I believe that we are entitled to the facts here."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/dem-senator-who-bashed-hegseth-s-qualifications-stands-by-dod-sec-who-oversaw-botched-afghan-withdrawal/ar-AA1xejCO?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=4ec10eab5a6443c29f51a8bc755f5ffc&ei=22
