Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) sharply criticized his Democratic colleagues during Tuesday’s hearing, accusing them of hypocrisy as they attacked Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. Mullin particularly took issue with those who continued to question Hegseth’s qualifications to lead such a significant department.

He challenged Democratic senators, especially those who were questioning Hegseth’s suitability for the role. “You know, there’s a lot of talk going about talking about qualifications, and then about us hiring him if we are the board, but there’s a lot of senators here I wouldn’t have on my board, because there is no qualifications except your age, and you got to be living in the state and you’re a citizen of the United States to be a senator,” Mullin pointed out.

Mullin then raised the issue of qualifications in the context of the Secretary of Defense position. “In fact, we got to convince a lot of people to vote for us, and then when we start talking about qualifications for, if you’re qualified for it, could the chairman tell me what the qualifications are for the Secretary of Defense? Mr. Chairman, could you tell me what the qualifications are for the Secretary of Defense?” he pressed.

He then proceeded to emphasize his point. “Let me read it for you,” Mullin said. “Because there’s a lot about qualifications. I think it’s so hypocritical of senators, especially on the other side, I’ll be talking about his qualifications … and yet your qualifications aren’t any better,” he blasted.

Mullin didn’t hold back, accusing his colleagues of being no more qualified than he was to be a senator. “You guys aren’t any more qualified to be the senator than I’m qualified to be the senator, except we’re lucky enough to be here,” he remarked. He then explained the qualifications for the Secretary of Defense role, saying, “But let me read you what the qualifications of the Secretary of Defense is, because I Googled it and I Googled it and went through a lot of different sites, and really it’s hard to see, but in general, the U.S. Secretary of Defense position is filled by a civilian,” he revealed.

This statement sparked laughter in the room, but Mullin continued. He elaborated that if someone had served in the U.S. Army forces, they could be considered for the position if they had been retired for at least seven years. Mullin also brought up the issue of military industry board memberships, noting that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had previously been involved with Raytheon, and Democrats had voted for him after waiving the standard rule, a fact they quickly seemed to forget.

He then turned his attention to Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), who had questioned Hegseth’s fitness for the position, raising concerns about showing up drunk for work. Mullin quipped, “How many senators have showed up drunk to vote at night?” This remark elicited more laughter. “How many of you guys asked them to step down and resign for their job? And don’t tell me you haven’t seen it, because I know you have,” he continued, addressing the attacks from his Democratic colleagues.

Mullin then made a pointed observation about the hypocrisy in how some senators handled personal issues. “And then how many senators do you know have got a divorce for [infidelity]? Did you ask them to step down? No, but it’s for show. You guys make sure you make a big show and point out the hypocrisy, because a man’s made a mistake, and you want to sit there and say that he’s not qualified,” he said, criticizing his colleagues for their double standards.

He concluded with a passionate statement about the flawed nature of human beings. “It is so ridiculous that you guys hold yourself as this higher standard, and you forget you got a big plank in your eye. We’ve all made mistakes. I’ve made mistakes,” Mullin said. He then expressed gratitude to Hegseth’s wife for standing by him, sharing his own experience with mistakes and personal growth.

{Matzav.com}