Hegseth can't meet meritocracy he says he seeks

By Robin Givhan / The Washington Post

Pete Hegseth looked great. That square jaw remained at a constant determined jut.

President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Defense Department and its 3 million troops and civilians walked into the Capitol Hill hearing room along with the wife he described as “beautiful” and “humble,” and flanked by many white men in suits. He settled into his seat at a big wooden witness table situated in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Its Republican members spent much of the morning and afternoon expressing their disgust over the degree to which diversity and inclusion are prized within the military while the Democrats spent their time voicing grave concerns about Hegseth’s basic human decency. After it was over, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota said the man had “acquitted himself.”

During the confirmation hearing, which lasted more than four hours, Hegseth drank a lot of water as he sat under the bright lights of his congressional interrogation, frequently smiled and rarely scowled. A former Fox News television host, Hegseth remained polished and poised as he absorbed exasperated hectoring by Democrats and excessive lauding by Republicans.

Congressional hearings have become little more than public opportunities for lawmakers to either vent or hail. The witness is whacked by one and coddled by the other. But Hegseth is a particularly troubling character.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-hegseth-cant-meet-meritocracy-he-says-he-seeks/