Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) stumbled by means of an interview Wednesday evening making an attempt to speak up President-elect Donald Trump’s protection secretary choose, Pete Hegseth.
Scott appeared on CNN with host Jake Tapper to defend Hegseth, a former Fox Information host, in opposition to 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 issues, Scott roughly stated Trump’s phrase on nominees is gospel.
“Properly, first off, No. 1, Donald Trump gained the election. No. 2, that is his nominee,” Scott stated, earlier than praising Hegseth’s navy service.
Tapper shortly referred to as him out. “President Biden gained in 2020 and also you voted in opposition to a number of of his nominees,” he stated. “Simply because someone wins the presidency doesn’t imply that everyone within the U.S. Senate ought to simply ignore the recommendation and consent clause of the Structure and vote for the particular person’s nominees. Proper?”
Scott agreed however continued saying Hegseth must 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 girl who in 2017 accused him of raping her at a convention, communicate out publicly.
“These are nameless accusations. If these individuals are credible, Jake, ask them to return in your present. Ask him clarify this stuff,” Scott stated.
Kevin Dietsch through Getty Photos
Tapper identified that the girl who accused Hegseth of sexual assault signed a non-disclosure settlement and isn’t allowed to talk publicly, regardless that police have confirmed Hegseth was concerned of their investigation into the assault.
“Do you suppose Pete ought to launch her from the NDA in order that I can ask her the questions that you really want me to?” Tapper requested Scott.
Scott shortly reversed course.
“Completely not,” he stated, arguing that individuals comply with NDAs on a regular basis. “I’m not going to counsel to someone change a contract that they signed.”
Then he circled again to his unique argument: that Trump’s nominees can’t be questioned. “That is Trump’s nominee. He gained. Lots of people don’t like the truth that he gained. He gained.”
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Scott additionally tried to make the issues about Hegseth a matter of disparaging veterans. “Why don’t folks respect these those who defend our freedom?” he requested Tapper.
“I respect veterans and troopers on a regular basis,” Tapper stated, “however that’s not likely the purpose. I imply, tens of millions of Individuals have served within the navy. That doesn’t imply that they need to be in command of the navy.”