Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) stumbled by an interview Wednesday evening making an attempt to speak up President-elect Donald Trump’s protection secretary decide, Pete Hegseth.
Scott appeared on CNN with host Jake Tapper to defend Hegseth, a former Fox Information host, towards a sexual assault allegation from 2017 and different claims about his alcohol abuse whereas working on the community and at two veterans’ teams.
When Tapper questioned why Scott was already able to vote to substantiate Hegseth, earlier than the Senate might additional probe these considerations, Scott kind of mentioned Trump’s phrase on nominees is gospel.
“Well, first off, No. 1, Donald Trump won the election. No. 2, this is his nominee,” Scott mentioned, earlier than praising Hegseth’s navy service.
Tapper rapidly known as him out. “President Biden won in 2020 and you voted against several of his nominees,” he mentioned. “Just because somebody wins the presidency doesn’t mean that everybody in the U.S. Senate should just ignore the advice and consent clause of the Constitution and vote for the person’s nominees. Right?”
Scott agreed however continued saying Hegseth needs to be confirmed, saying he “will do an unbelievable job” and that individuals are going to enlist within the navy simply because he’s in cost.
The senator dug himself in deeper when he demanded Hegseth’s accusers, akin to the lady who in 2017 accused him of raping her at a convention, communicate out publicly.
“These are anonymous accusations. If these people are credible, Jake, ask them to come on your show. Ask him explain these things,” Scott mentioned.
Kevin Dietsch by way of Getty Pictures
Tapper identified that the lady who accused Hegseth of sexual assault signed a non-disclosure settlement and isn’t allowed to talk publicly, despite the fact that police have confirmed Hegseth was concerned of their investigation into the assault.
“Do you think Pete should release her from the NDA so that I can ask her the questions that you want me to?” Tapper requested Scott.
Scott rapidly reversed course.
“Absolutely not,” he mentioned, arguing that folks conform to NDAs on a regular basis. “I’m not going to suggest to somebody change a contract that they signed.”
Then he circled again to his unique argument: that Trump’s nominees can’t be questioned. “This is Trump’s nominee. He won. A lot of people don’t like the fact that he won. He won.”
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Scott additionally tried to make the considerations about Hegseth a matter of disparaging veterans. “Why don’t people respect these people that defend our freedom?” he requested Tapper.
“I respect veterans and soldiers all the time,” Tapper mentioned, “but that’s not really the point. I mean, millions of Americans have served in the military. That doesn’t mean that they should be in charge of the military.”
