The Detroit News issued an editorial urging the Senate to reject President-elect Trump’s nominations of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense.
“The Republican-controlled Senate should establish its intention to vigorously fulfill its advise and consent role, and its independence from the administration, by rejecting Gaetz and Hegseth,” it wrote.
The piece said the board has, generally, “no major objections” to Trump’s picks.
“However, two of his nominees for critical positions — Matt Gaetz as attorney general and Pete Hegseth as defense secretary — are so unacceptable their names should either be withdrawn by Trump or rejected by the Senate.
“Gaetz, a Republican representative from Florida, is unsuitable even to remain in Congress, let alone to assume the leadership of one of the most powerful departments of the federal government,” the board added referencing his review for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a minor.
Senators have already raised concerns about his nomination.
“It is reckless of Trump to appoint a man who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee on allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use,” read the editorial piece. “The accusations also include accepting improper gifts, rewarding his friends with special favors and obstructing investigations into his misdeeds.”
The publication then affirmed calls for the House Ethics Committee to publicize the report into Gaetz, against the wishes of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
”The American people should know exactly who the person is Trump has tapped to enforce the laws of the land and uphold the Constitution,” the board stated.
“While Gaetz has denied the charges, the power vested in a U.S. attorney general demands the person in that position be above even the whiff of scandal. Gaetz reeks of scandal.”
The Detroit News then critiqued Hegseth for his lack of experience in military leadership and rhetoric surrounding removing “woke” generals with diverse backgrounds.
“That’s apparently the primary reason Trump selected him,” the outlet said, citing Hegseth’s past comments on the “woke ideology into the military.”
“Hegseth is in no way qualified to handle those roles,” the Detroit News wrote, opposing Hegseth’s control of the $1.13 trillion spending budget for Defense. “His only executive experience was as CEO of a veterans advocacy organization.”
The editorial piece also raised brief concerns with Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).
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