this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2024
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Summary

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, faces scrutiny over a 2017 sexual assault allegation.

A complaint to Trump’s transition team details an alleged incident at a California Republican conference, investigated by Monterey police but resulting in no charges. The accuser signed a nondisclosure agreement, and Hegseth’s lawyer denies wrongdoing.

The transition team is reportedly frustrated over inadequate vetting.

Trump has expressed support for Hegseth, despite concerns his confirmation could face resistance in the Senate, mirroring controversies surrounding other Trump appointees, including Matt Gaetz.

top 21 comments
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[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (1 children)

Surfaces? Were they not on the surface already?

[–] GhiLA@sh.itjust.works 1 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

I've been referring to sexual predation as pulling a Gaetz for a while now.

[–] capital@lemmy.world 15 points 23 hours ago

Who writes this shit? Did they already forget the SCOTUS appointment under similar circumstances? The bar isn't just lowered. There isn't one anymore.

[–] Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world 40 points 1 day ago (2 children)

He is literally going out of his way to pick the worst possible candidate for literally every position. And this is all sending a message to Republicans, not Democrats. The message is very simple. The Trump Train 2.0 is about to take off. You WILL get on board, or you WILL get run over.

His VP pick was an empty husk of a generic white male that brought nothing to the table. Except for the fact that he was a harsh critic of Trump. Was. But the message was loud and clear. "This is a man who once compared me to Hitler. He is now my lap dog. And he will say what I tell him to say."

He then demanded that the Senate go into recess so he can make recess appointments that even he knows are too radical. This is Trump putting his dick out on the table. He is saying "I will do exactly what I want, or you will get Cheney'ed." He is making sure the Senate knows who is calling the shots. And top cronies like Tuberville are Trump's lap dogs that are threatening to make it happen, come hell or high water.

His HHS secretary is an anti-vaxxer who professes to have brain worms and wants to get rid of all abortion meds, birth control, and vaccines.

His AG is a man who has already proven to be a willing puppet, but is also guaranteed to follow Trump's commands to the letter since he has federal sex trafficking charges being held over his head. This ensures that Trump doesn't have to go through a Saturday Night Massacre to get the AG to do his bidding.

His "budget czar" is already threatening to slash programs that are important to Republicans. Or at the very least, programs that even republicans know it would be political suicide to fuck with.

His Ambassador to Israel believes Palestinians don't exist.

His new "Border czar" is an open racist.

This isn't "trolling the libs". Trump knows he could easily find people to put in those positions that would anger the left, while also being able to get legitimate support from the right. The fact that he is going so far out of the way to find the stone-dead-worst people available for these positions is not only trolling the libs, but a power play against his own base. Their votes will be a test of loyalty. They are not confirming a Cabinet position. They are swearing their allegance to Donald Trump under threat of political execution. "I have altered the deal. Pray I do not alter it further."

There was a movie back in the early 80s called "The Toy". Objectively terrible movie by all accounts and would usually not recommend it. Low point of Richard Pryor and Jackie Gleason's careers. But I'm recommending it because of the role Gleason plays in the movie, which is basically Donald Trump: 1982 edition. The literal only difference is that Gleason doesn't say the quiet parts out loud. He shouts it from the rooftops, knowing there's nobody left with the power to stop him. The supporting characters are all shown to have bent to his will, knowing their fate but basically powerless to do anything about it.

If you want a shot at how Trump talks to people, go watch that movie.

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Except for the fact that he was a harsh critic of Trump. Was. But the message was loud and clear. “This is a man who once compared me to Hitler. He is now my lap dog.

How many qons has he turned into little lap dogs? Lindsey and Marco come to mind.

I'm pretty sure a lot of Republican politicians absolutely fucking hate donvict with the intensity of a billion suns. But they have to work with this dumbass because his base are so very stupid.

[–] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

There's also the possibility that it's a tactic to make the people he actually wants in the positions seem reasonable by comparison

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Do you think he's that smart? If that's the plan, then there is someone else pulling the strings.

I'm fully aware. It's just easier to not say his puppet masters every time

[–] alquicksilver@lemmy.world 29 points 1 day ago

If anything, I fully expect this cemented him as the pick. If you have any respect for other people, you're a liability for them.

Doesn't surprise me at all that they're sweeping it under the rug.

[–] badelf@lemmy.dbzer0.com 19 points 1 day ago

Isn't that what all Trump voters voted for? A government that supports men rapists? Or were they voting for more graft and illegal bribes?

[–] doomcanoe@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 day ago (3 children)

As some point Trump is going to have to pick someone who hasn't committed sexual assault right? Like, just statistically speaking...

[–] skulblaka@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 day ago

Have you seen the list of registered republican sex offenders?

This person has made it their project to catalogue as many examples as they could find over the last 6 years. It has grown significantly since I saw it last. I hope you have a few hours available if you expect to read all this, and some anti nausea medication wouldn't hurt.

Rest assured that Trump has absolutely no shortage of choices whatsoever.

[–] fluxion@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

Statistically speaking he shouldn't be anywhere near the presidency so all bets are off

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Gabbard maybe hasn't, but she's possibly even worse as a pick, given she's compromised.

[–] Nougat@fedia.io 10 points 1 day ago

The president-elect is a rapist. "Scrutiny" is out the fucking window.

[–] Geobloke@lemm.ee 2 points 23 hours ago

What's a bit of sexual assault and fraud between friends? A long as you're loyal. How's that monarchy working out US? Remember why you gave it up?

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

It's almost like donvict and his thugs do the very opposite of vetting candidates.

If it's just about "owning the libs" and picking people he sees on the TV....job well done? I guess?

Anyone else feeling "owned"?

[–] ATDA@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

But not gaetz LOL

They don't give a shit past getting a refund from the information company they hired.

[–] blattrules@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I thought that was part of the job qualifications for trump’s cabinet.

[–] Zaktor@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

He needs people he can relate to.

[–] garibaldi_biscuit@lemmy.world 1 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago)