Most of the discussion about Hegseth’s qualifications has focused on alleged incidents of personal misconduct. I have no idea if those allegations are true, but I am quite certain that a committee meeting is not the best way to resolve them. In any event, they do not represent the best reason to refuse to confirm the man. The real questions should revolve around his willingness to use the military as an active agent against anyone other than white Christian men in American culture wars.
And so:
- You proudly wear a tattoo that contains a slogan that has been linked to white supremacists. I know you will deny being a white supremacist, but how, under the circumstances, can you lead a military that is disproportionately black?
- You have apparently told some senators that you have changed your mind about women in combat. Why should we believe you are sincere about this last-minute conversion?
- You have identified yourself as a “crusader” and openly expressed your contempt for Islam. How is that going to go over with the thousands of Muslims in the military?
- If Donald Trump gives you a clearly unconstitutional order to use the military over the objections of state and local politicians to shoot unarmed civilians, will you do it?
- Does the military represent and protect all of America, or just the parts that you agree with?
- Would you ever consider requiring members of the military to take an oath to Donald Trump personally?
- Do you view members of the military more as problem solvers or unrestrained professional killers?
- In the past, you championed members of the military who were found guilty of war crimes through the chain of command. Will you continue to do that as head of the DOD?