See below for comments by Virginia’s Congressional Democrats on the confirmation of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, as well as on Trump’s “Friday night coup” (firing 17 inspectors general) as Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA11) describes it.
Sen. Tim Kaine: “I’m shocked but not surprised at the willingness of GOP members to confirm a nominee who has been called out by so many (including his own mother) for egregious and disqualifying misconduct. Trump wanted to see if any had a gag reflex. He has his answer.”
Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04): “On the 12th anniversary of Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta lifting the ban on women in combat, the U.S. Senate confirmed a man who says that never should have happened to be the next Secretary of Defense.
“Pete Hegseth’s confirmation is a slap in the face to the 200,000 active-duty women service members and 2,000,000 women veterans who have dedicated — and in some cases gave — their lives to defend our country. With his credible allegations of sexual assault, financial malfeasance, and alcohol abuse, and backwards views on women in combat and building a fighting force that reflects the diversity of the nation it defends, Hegseth’s confirmation will inevitably hurt our military readiness, recruitment and retention efforts.
“Pete Hegseth has not demonstrated the experience, judgment, or moral character necessary to lead the United States’ armed forces and advance our national security interests around the globe.”
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA11): “Trump’s Friday night coup to overthrow legally protected independent inspectors general is an attack on transparency and accountability, essential ingredients in our democratic form of government.”
Beyer: “Trump’s Purge Of Inspectors General Is Flagrantly Illegal And Crooked”
January 25, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) issued the following statement today on Donald Trump’s illegal purge of over a dozen inspectors general of executive branch agencies:
“Trump’s purge of inspectors general is flagrantly illegal and crooked.
“The inspector general position exists to guard against waste, fraud, and criminal behavior in federal agencies. That the Trump Administration found it necessary to break the law by removing these independent, nonpartisan watchdogs without the legally required cause or congressional notification points to their intent to commit acts of extreme corruption.
“I urge the inspectors general affected to defend the independence which is essential to their position in every way possible including through the pursuit of legal remedies. And I urge any members of the Republican majority in either chamber who still have a spine to stand up to this corrupt president and protect our essential institutions from Trump’s assault on the rule of law.”
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