Sen.-elect Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said Sunday that President-elect Donald Trump’s choices for national security Cabinet positions were due in part to his political preferences rather than an objective interpretation of information. expressed concern that this may be the case.
Slotkin, a current U.S. representative and former CIA and Pentagon official, told Martha Raddatz, co-anchor of “This Week,” that Fox News host Pete Hegseth is the secretary of defense, a former Democrat. He said whoever chooses Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence should tell President Trump exactly what he wants. They care more about what they see in the world than what they think the next president wants to hear.
“What I need to know is that the people who are in these jobs are not guided by what somebody says they should look at in politics or intelligence or defense, but… What the truth is is, it’s grounded,” Slotkin said.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin appears on the November 17, 2024 issue of “This Week.”
ABC News
“Speaking truth to power is one of the most important things intelligence agencies do, and if there’s anyone in there who feels beholden to telling the president what he wants to hear, has a big problem with it.”
Slotkin’s remarks came as President Trump moves quickly to announce cabinet appointments. Some of the more controversial candidates include Hegseth, Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who heads the Department of Health and Human Services, and former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who heads the Justice Department. .
Hegseth has expressed concern over past statements that women should not serve in combat roles.
“I can tell you because I was at the Pentagon on Thursday, there was constant chatter and conversation in the hallways, constant attention from senior female officers. But also from people I nominated for the service academy. I’ve also heard young women who are just starting their careers saying, ‘Can I actually accomplish what I want here?'” Slotkin said.
Mr. Trump’s pick for secretary of defense has repeatedly criticized the Pentagon’s “woke” policy and advocated firing military leaders who have supported the Pentagon’s diversity efforts.
“They’ve made it very clear that they’re putting together some kind of commission to investigate generals, people who have served the country over multiple administrations throughout their lives, Democrats and Republicans who are in combat. Now we’re openly talking about firing them, in a sort of kangaroo court, and you can imagine the Pentagon is stressed about that, but also about their future as a military. Same thing,” Slotkin said.
Slotkin offered a more positive opinion of Sen. Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, whom President Trump nominated to lead the State Department. He has a more traditional background as an advocate of strong American engagement in the world.
“We’re not perfect, but I’d rather have American leadership than Chinese or Russian leadership any day of the week. So despite President-elect Trump’s impulses, I hope we have Marco Rubio. “They will be selected as more traditional people who understand the importance of American leadership roles,” she said.
Still, Slotkin declined to preview how he would vote on Cabinet nominees, despite his concerns about people like Hegseth and Gabbard.
“In general, I’m a senator-elect, and advice and consent from the Senate is part of the constitutional process. So I’m going to meet with everyone and hear their opinions. But I’m also a former CIA officer. “I know how important these jobs are, not just to who gets what in Washington, but to the actual security of the American people,” she said.
