Podcast Summary: "What A Day" – Episode: Hegseth’s Sham Hearing

Host: Jane Coston
Release Date: January 15, 2025
Podcast: What A Day by Crooked Media

1. Pete Hegseth’s Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Defense

The episode opens with a critical examination of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth's Senate confirmation hearing for the position of Secretary of Defense. Jane Coston highlights the controversy surrounding Hegseth, focusing on his military background and the skepticism about his capability to lead the largest employer in the United States.

Hegseth’s Credentials and Initial Statements:

At the start of the hearing, Hegseth acknowledges his unconventional background compared to previous defense secretaries:

[00:45] Pete Hegseth: "Now, it is true and has been acknowledged that I don't have a similar biography to defense secretaries of the last 30 years... I believe, and I humbly agree, that it's time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm."

Hegseth emphasizes his two decades of military experience but admits to lacking the traditional credentials expected for the role, aligning himself with a more grassroots leadership style.

Allegations and Republican Defense:

The hearing does not shy away from addressing serious allegations against Hegseth, including sexual assault and excessive drinking. Republican senators Mark Wayne Mullen and others defend Hegseth by downplaying these accusations and drawing parallels with behaviors of other senators.

[02:46] Mark Wayne Mullen: "How many senators have showed up drunk to vote at night?... How many senators do you know have got a divorce before cheating on their wives? Did you ask them to step down? No."

Mullen further personalizes the defense by attributing Hegseth's past mistakes to his wife's forgiveness:

[03:16] Mark Wayne Mullen: "The only reason why I'm here and not in prison is because my wife loved me too."

Interview with Senator Tammy Duckworth:

One of the most significant segments features an in-depth conversation with Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who was a stern critic during the hearing. Duckworth articulates her profound concerns regarding Hegseth's qualifications and integrity.

[04:03] Tammy Duckworth: "I asked him questions that were pretty basic for anybody that is going to be in leadership over at the DOD and he didn't know any of the answers."

Duckworth criticizes Hegseth's inability to answer fundamental questions about international security agreements and ASEAN countries, highlighting a perceived lack of preparedness for the role.

Her skepticism extends to Hegseth's stance on women's roles in the military:

[04:37] Jane Coston: "It seems like Hegseth is nodding to progressiveness on women in combat roles, but what did you learn from that?"

[04:51] Tammy Duckworth: "I learned that he's willing to say whatever he needs to say to get confirmed. He did everything he could to put women on trial so that we would need to defend whether or not women are qualified to serve in combat."

Duckworth expresses anxiety over Hegseth's potential vulnerability to political pressures and his ability to uphold the Department of Defense's integrity:

[05:27] Tammy Duckworth: "He's just not qualified to lead the Department of Defense... our adversaries are watching. They know that this man can be exploited."

Furthermore, Duckworth raises concerns about the transparency of Hegseth's background checks:

[06:26] Tammy Duckworth: "We need to know what is in his background... our adversaries, they're digging, and they will have this information on him."

She underscores the importance of comprehensive background disclosures for national security.

Senator Mark Wayne Mullen's Defense:

Mark Wayne Mullen, a Republican senator, provides a contrasting viewpoint, defending Hegseth by generalizing the behavior of senators:

[02:33] Unknown Smears: "I'm not hearing false, but according to Oklahoma Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen... it's a just a thing everyone does."

Mullen attempts to normalize the allegations against Hegseth by asserting that such behavior is commonplace among senators, thereby deflecting the scrutiny.

Likelihood of Confirmation:

Despite the intense questioning and allegations, the episode suggests that Hegseth is likely to be confirmed, especially with support from Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who initially had reservations but ultimately backed him.

2. Intra-MAGA Conflict: Steve Bannon vs. Elon Musk over H1B Visas

The podcast transitions to an exploration of the internal conflicts within the MAGA movement, focusing on the clash between former White House strategist Steve Bannon and tech magnate Elon Musk over the H1B visa program.

Background on the H1B Visa Debate:

Jane Coston introduces the issue by explaining the significance of the H1B visa, a program facilitating the entry of highly skilled foreign workers into the United States, primarily benefiting industries like engineering and technology. However, the program has become a contentious battleground within conservative circles.

Steve Bannon’s Critique of Elon Musk:

Steve Bannon has been vocally critical of Elon Musk, portraying him as someone who does not wield substantial power within Trump's administration. Bannon's disdain represents the nativist wing of the MAGA movement, which opposes both legal and illegal immigration.

[08:20] Mark Wayne Mullen: "He doesn't have the ability to actually make decisions and inform those."

Bannon’s opposition is partly fueled by the disagreement over the H1B visa program, which Musk champions as essential for his companies' growth and competitiveness.

Roger Karma’s Analysis:

The episode features an insightful conversation with Roger Karma, a staff writer at The Atlantic covering economics and economic policy. Karma delves into the complexities of the H1B visa debate, explaining how it has split the right-wing coalition into two factions: the tech-focused pro-immigration side and the nativist anti-immigration faction.

[09:37] Roger Karma: "The H1B program in practice allows about 85,000 foreign workers per year... there are some flaws in implementation, but that's the sort of basics of the visa."

Karma acknowledges legitimate economic criticisms of the H1B program, such as its exploitation by outsourcing firms and the potential suppression of American wages. However, he also cites studies demonstrating the positive impact of H1B workers on innovation and job creation.

[12:15] Roger Karma: "Almost every careful experimental study that's been done on the H1B program, most of them find pretty significant positive effects because the companies that get these workers often grow much faster, they often innovate much more."

Future of the Intra-MAGA Conflict:

Karma predicts an ongoing power struggle between Bannon’s nativist approach and Musk’s economically driven stance, especially under a potential Trump administration that has historically favored restrictive immigration policies through figures like Stephen Miller.

[17:28] Roger Karma: "I think what we're gearing up for is a sort of intra coalitional, intra administrative fight between Musk and Miller."

Karma also touches on the broader implications for Democratic strategies on immigration, suggesting that the party may need to recalibrate its stance in response to internal and external pressures.

3. Other Significant News Highlights

In addition to the primary discussions, the episode briefly touches on several other important news stories:

Legislation Banning Trans Athletes:

The House passed the "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act," a Republican-led bill aiming to ban transgender female athletes from competing in female school sports teams. The bill, supported by Florida's Representative Greg Steube, seeks to amend Title IX by defining sex based solely on reproductive biology and genetics at birth. However, it attracted bipartisan opposition, including from Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

[22:21] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: "Here's the thing. There's no enforcement mechanism in this bill. And when there is no enforcement mechanism, you open the door to every enforcement mechanism."

The legislation is poised to move to the Republican-controlled Senate, facing substantial criticism for its lack of clarity and potential overreach.

DOJ Report on Donald Trump:

The Department of Justice released part one of former special counsel Jack Smith's report investigating Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The report, highly anticipated, details Trump's use of the "big lie" as a tool to undermine democratic processes. Although the second part of the report remains blocked by a federal judge, the initial findings suggest strong evidence that could have led to a conviction if not for immunity rules protecting a sitting president.

[22:21] Jane Coston: "Smith said he was confident Trump would have been convicted if the election interference case went to trial."

Ukraine’s Drone Attacks on Russia:

Ukraine launched a significant drone attack on southwestern Russia, marking one of the most substantial strikes since the onset of the war. Utilizing US and UK-made missiles, Kyiv aims to demonstrate its capability to conduct deep strikes within Russian territory. Russia retaliated by condemning the attacks and vowed response, highlighting ongoing tensions and the precarious nature of international alliances as Trump prepares to take office.

[25:06] Mark Kelly: "Is this code for we're going to abandon Ukraine?"

Hegseth responds by deferring to presidential policy decisions, suggesting a potential shift in US support for Ukraine under Trump's administration.

TikTok Migration to RedNote:

Amidst ongoing legal battles over TikTok's future in the United States, the Chinese social media platform RedNote has surged in popularity, becoming the most downloaded app in the country. Users are migrating to RedNote en masse in response to impending Congressional deadlines requiring TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, due to national security concerns.

[25:23] Jane Coston: "The mass migration is basically a middle finger to lawmakers who claim that the Chinese government could use TikTok to surveil American users."

This rapid user shift underscores the complexities and public resistance surrounding government-imposed restrictions on popular digital platforms.

4. Conclusion

The episode of "What A Day" masterfully navigates through the intricacies of Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing, shedding light on the deeper political and social undercurrents at play. Through in-depth interviews and expert analysis, particularly from Senator Tammy Duckworth and Roger Karma, the podcast provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and debates shaping today's political landscape. Additionally, the coverage of related news stories ensures that listeners are well-informed on a broad array of pressing issues.

Notable Quotes:

• Pete Hegseth [00:45]: "I believe, and I humbly agree, that it's time to give someone with dust on his boots the helm."

• Senator Tammy Duckworth [05:27]: "He's just not qualified to lead the Department of Defense."

• Roger Karma [09:37]: "The idea behind this program is that having highly skilled foreign workers come into the US Is a good thing."

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [22:21]: "When there is no enforcement mechanism, you open the door to every enforcement mechanism."

5. Additional Information

For more insights and detailed analysis, listeners can explore related articles by Roger Karma at The Atlantic.

Production Credits:

• Host: Jane Coston
• Producers: Michelle Eloy
• Associate Producers: Raven Yamamoto, Emily Foer
• Editors: Desmond Taylor, Johanna Case, Joseph Dutra, Greg Walters, Julia Claire
• Senior Producer: Erica Morrison
• Executive Producer: Adrienne Hill
• Theme Music: Colin Gilliard and Kashaka
• Production Staff: Proudly unionized with the Writers Guild of America East

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