NewsNation host Chris Cuomo criticized Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine on Tuesday for using his time during Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing to grill him over his past marriage.
Kaine raised allegations of Hegseth’s infidelity, alcoholism and abuse during his questioning rather than prioritizing other queries relevant to the role of secretary of defense. Cuomo suggested Kaine’s line of questioning was disgusting, condemning both the standard he was holding Hegseth to and the substantive issues he was ignoring.
WATCH:
“Let me ask you: What questions would you have for a potential secretary of defense? ‘What are you going to do about China, Russia, terror, Pentagon size, drones — or would your top concern be his marriage? Is your biggest fear that an army of trans folk are going to take over? Because those were the concerns that the most deliberative body in the world focused on today,” Cuomo said. “Here is the moment that Democrats are choosing to send around the internet as their big win: Senator Tim Kaine giving Hegseth the Bill Clinton.”
The NewsNation host then played a clip of Kaine suggesting Hegseth’s alleged infidelity indicates he will not be steadfast to the oath of office he would take as secretary of defense. Hegseth defended himself by saying he is a changed man because of his Christian faith.
“So because of his marriage, he can’t be trusted with the oath of office? Two points of disgust: How many people on that committee, how many in Congress, could pass the Kaine test that you can’t honor an oath to serve if you’ve ever been unfaithful? Kaine may be sitting in that room alone,” Cuomo said after playing the clip. “Who cares when we are talking about being the top warrior, not our pastor? I’ll tell you who agreed with me once about this: Tim Kaine. He supported Bill Clinton for president. He didn’t say he couldn’t serve despite all he knew about his peccadilloes. He still backed him. Why? Is president not as important an oath? So, what changed?”
Cuomo’s remarks echoed Republican Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who called out Democratic senators during the hearing and accused them of hypocrisy for scrutinizing Hegseth’s personal past, particularly scoffing at Kaine.
“You know, a bipartisan national security commission found we are not ready for war with China or Russia. Did you know that? They suggested our technology and our inventory are a question mark. Recruitment across the armed services weak,” the NewsNation host added. “Cyberattacks crushing us increasingly. Trump hinting he wants to pull out of Syria and other areas in the region. All these big things flying around, including over military bases. No one can explain it.”
“And this guy, who has never led anything like a federal agency, is up for a job over the biggest war machine in the world that is one of the largest employers in the federal government,” Cuomo continued. “And Tim Kaine wants to talk to him to exhaustion about his marriage. None of the things that I just mentioned in any depth. That matters more than what he’s going to do with half the money America lays out in discretionary spending?”
CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings said Democratic senators’ “mudslinging” strategy at the hearing backfired, asserting their behavior likely bolstered Hegseth’s chances of confirmation.
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