‘You’re either feckless or complicit!’ Hegseth refuses to say if Laura Loomer was consulted on General Haugh firing

The Independent

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00:00I'm going to move on to General Hawke.

00:03This is not an inexplicable dismissal of General Hawke.

00:06He serves as both director of the National Security Agency,

00:09commander of U.S. Cybercom.

00:11It's deeply concerning, raises significant questions

00:13about the decision-making process, its potential consequences.

00:18Public reports indicate that the removal of General Hawke,

00:22who has served his country proudly,

00:24has been influenced by social media influencer.

00:28An influencer, a personality on social media, Laura Loomer,

00:32spreads conspiracy theories.

00:33She's been denounced even by Republicans.

00:35And the idea is that any leaders within our agency

00:37is responsible for our nation's security.

00:40Somebody would be dismissed based on the advice

00:43of a social media influencer.

00:45It's alarming to say the least.

00:47It's surely not how we should be running our military.

00:49So were you consulted regarding General Hawke's dismissal, yes or no?

00:54Well, Senator, I would not advise believing everything you read in the media.

01:00Were you consulted?

01:01And I'm consulted on every single decision.

01:02Okay, so that's alarming.

01:03I'm the decision-maker for the department,

01:04and we all serve at the pleasure of the president,

01:06and we have the prerogative to make those decisions for the best for the country,

01:09and we did that.

01:10What was your recommendation?

01:11Did you personally approve Mr. Hawke's dismissal, yes or no?

01:13Anyone coming or going at the Defense Department, especially at that level,

01:18would ultimately be a decision made by me, and I stand behind that.

01:21So that's a yes.

01:22Did you personally relieve him?

01:24Excuse me?

01:25Did you personally relieve him, yes or no?

01:26Anyone at that level who is relieved would be relieved by the Secretary of Defense.

01:31Was there a specific justification for General Hawke's dismissal?

01:36Ma'am, we all serve at the pleasure of the president,

01:48and the president deserves the type of commanders and advisers that he thinks will best equip him to accomplish the mission.

01:54Did you discuss General Hawke's dismissal with Laura Loomer prior to his removal?

01:59I don't discuss who I talk about anything with, but ultimately this is my decision,

02:03and he serves at the pleasure of the president, and that's why he's no longer there.

02:06So do you believe it's appropriate for any social media personality to influence personnel decisions in your department, yes or no?

02:17I believe your time is up, Senator.

02:19Oh, it is not up to you to tell me when my time is up.

02:22Well, the time of the senator—

02:23And I am going to say, Mr. Secretary, you're either feckless or complicit.

02:27You're not in control of your department.

02:29Yours is unserious.

02:30It is shocking.

02:31You're not combating anti-Semitism within your ranks.

02:34It's a dangerous and pivotal time in our nation's history.

02:37Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

02:38I yield back.

02:39And I don't appreciate the smirk, sir.

02:41You are the Secretary of Defense.

02:43The time of the gentlelady has expired.

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