Eric Schmitt

You had Senator Wicker, the chairman, basically making a joke out of it, saying, you know, how many people do we supervise?

You had Senator Wicker, the chairman, basically making a joke out of it, saying, you know, how many people do we supervise?

Then you have Senator Mullen of Oklahoma, who's basically saying, wait a minute, who among us hasn't had a drink too many at work or had an affair?

Then you have Senator Mullen of Oklahoma, who's basically saying, wait a minute, who among us hasn't had a drink too many at work or had an affair?

Another Republican senator, a new senator, Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, also weighed in on this.

Another Republican senator, a new senator, Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, also weighed in on this.

basically making the case that Hexeth has the experience that matters most. And he goes on to grill him about, you know, what kind of ammunition goes in certain kind of rifles and what tactics would you use in certain situations.

basically making the case that Hexeth has the experience that matters most. And he goes on to grill him about, you know, what kind of ammunition goes in certain kind of rifles and what tactics would you use in certain situations.

Yeah, he talks about, you know, what kind of batteries and night vision goggles. And it's just, it's kind of like, this is what real warriors care about, you know, not this other stuff. Let's get on with what's really important here, the Republicans seem to be saying.

Yeah, he talks about, you know, what kind of batteries and night vision goggles. And it's just, it's kind of like, this is what real warriors care about, you know, not this other stuff. Let's get on with what's really important here, the Republicans seem to be saying.

Exactly. And along the way, you know, Democrats just seem completely unconvinced by any of this approach. Democrats are on the line. This guy is just a yes man for the president. He will do anything. He is so loyal to the president, he could even violate human rights or other laws or other norms and conventions to satisfy him.

Exactly. And along the way, you know, Democrats just seem completely unconvinced by any of this approach. Democrats are on the line. This guy is just a yes man for the president. He will do anything. He is so loyal to the president, he could even violate human rights or other laws or other norms and conventions to satisfy him.

Right, and there's this interesting exchange that Hexeth has with Senator Angus King of Maine.

Right, and there's this interesting exchange that Hexeth has with Senator Angus King of Maine.

where he talks about the rules of war and the law of armed conflict and what U.S. soldiers shouldn't be having to do.

where he talks about the rules of war and the law of armed conflict and what U.S. soldiers shouldn't be having to do.

It gets to, you know, Hex says... As a guy who used to be on the ground in these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this suspicion of higher officials, including perhaps some lawyers, who put restrictions on the soldiers who are going after bad guys in Hezik's view. Right.

It gets to, you know, Hex says... As a guy who used to be on the ground in these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this suspicion of higher officials, including perhaps some lawyers, who put restrictions on the soldiers who are going after bad guys in Hezik's view. Right.

It may not mean to follow, not follow, but at least to challenge, to challenge the higher authority. And again, that puts Hexeth back in where he's been and where he's most comfortable. He's the grunt. He's an officer who is on the ground in the fight. He's certainly indicating challenging a chain of command or higher authorities that don't have these priorities in mind that he does.

It may not mean to follow, not follow, but at least to challenge, to challenge the higher authority. And again, that puts Hexeth back in where he's been and where he's most comfortable. He's the grunt. He's an officer who is on the ground in the fight. He's certainly indicating challenging a chain of command or higher authorities that don't have these priorities in mind that he does.