Eric Schmitt

Wicker signals pretty much from his opening statement the Republicans are going to be a heat shield for Pete Hegseth in his hearings.

Wicker signals pretty much from his opening statement the Republicans are going to be a heat shield for Pete Hegseth in his hearings.

You know, the Biden administration has weakened the American military. The American service members are worn out. Recruiting is in the tank. It's just, you know, we need a jolt here.

You know, the Biden administration has weakened the American military. The American service members are worn out. Recruiting is in the tank. It's just, you know, we need a jolt here.

And so this very quickly from the chairman of the committee makes it sound, you know, there's not going to be any doubts raised from his side of the aisle here at least.

And so this very quickly from the chairman of the committee makes it sound, you know, there's not going to be any doubts raised from his side of the aisle here at least.

That's right. I mean, there are no reservations at all. It's full speed ahead.

That's right. I mean, there are no reservations at all. It's full speed ahead.

And then we get our first statement from the senior Democrat on the committee. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who's been on the committee for years, is a West Point graduate Army veteran himself, and he actually starts out with some niceties.

And then we get our first statement from the senior Democrat on the committee. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who's been on the committee for years, is a West Point graduate Army veteran himself, and he actually starts out with some niceties.

But then... Reid, who's a relatively soft-spoken guy, not bombastic of all.

But then... Reid, who's a relatively soft-spoken guy, not bombastic of all.

He just launches into this extraordinarily harsh assessment of Pete Hexeth's qualifications.

He just launches into this extraordinarily harsh assessment of Pete Hexeth's qualifications.

Again, remember, this guy has a television personality, so he's on now. The light is on for him to speak. And he starts off, you know, quite deliberately trying to disarm the senators.

Again, remember, this guy has a television personality, so he's on now. The light is on for him to speak. And he starts off, you know, quite deliberately trying to disarm the senators.

Saying this is going to be... A hearing where he's looking out for the best of the nation. He's going to work across the aisle as much as he can.

Saying this is going to be... A hearing where he's looking out for the best of the nation. He's going to work across the aisle as much as he can.

He turns and he thanks his wife for her support.

He turns and he thanks his wife for her support.