Letters

I read with interest Ed Surgan’s take regarding Pete Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary, along with some other issues [“Savor the ‘Miracle,’” Letters, December 12].

Mr. Surgan states that Hegseth is “uniquely qualified.” I doubt that “uniquely qualified” means a lack of “senior or national security experience,” and that he “would have the least amount of military experience of any defense secretary in recent history” (Fox News).

Additionally, Mr. Surgan characterizes Hegseth’s “advocating for veterans” as “sterling.” “Sterling?” What is “sterling” about “frequent public intoxication, poor leadership and the toxic work climate he fostered” at the Concerned Veterans for America (“GOP insiders sought Hegseth’s removal as leader of veterans’ group,” CBS News)?

I haven’t even touched on Hegseth’s belittling of female military personnel, his far-right tattoos and writings, which Hegseth has admitted got him “deemed an extremist,” and other issues.

Mr. Surgan bemoans that some of the incidents have come to light from “anonymous accusers.” Maybe Hegseth should release the woman who accused him of rape from the nondisclosure agreement he had her sign as part of their settlement. Or maybe Hegseth himself could release the NDA he signed when he was removed from the Concerned Veterans of America.

Even without all of this baggage, it would be daunting for a person who has never been in charge of any public agency, large military detachment or even a company with a mammoth budget and personnel portfolio to take charge and effectively administer such an important post. For a weekend TV host with myriad personal issues, whose main talent appears to be an ability to be telegenic when the red light goes on, I believe Hegseth would put the members of our military, and the country as a whole, in great danger.

Mr. Surgan goes on to disparage President Joe Biden with the tired and disproved “Biden family business” trope. James Comer, Jim Jordan and others promised an impeachment with overwhelming evidence. They wound up trotting out a rogue’s gallery of liars and frauds. Much of their “evidence” was based on FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, who “confessed to having created ‘a false and fictitious record’” (New York Post). Smirnov had falsely told the FBI that Burisma was paying off Joe Biden, which was the foundation for the house of cards that the Republicans used to try to impeach Biden.

I won’t continue with some of the other Donald Trump nominees, like RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, Sebastian Gorka, John Phelan, Kash Patel, Kari Lake, Billy Long, and others whose qualifications seem to fall under the categories of family member, billionaire or major donor. Being unqualified is an underlying theme.

There is a novel word for this: kakistocracy — a government run by the worst, least qualified or most unscrupulous citizens.

Harry Mainzer

East Quogue