Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and John Fetterman have shown openness to the possibility of Gov. Ron DeSantis being considered as President-Elect Trump's new choice for secretary of defense. This comes as Pete Hegseth faces obstacles in his path to confirmation for the position.
Senator Kelly, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, acknowledged that DeSantis, based on his background, could be a viable candidate for the role. Kelly highlighted DeSantis' experience as a governor of a major state, his service in Congress, and his military background as factors that make him a strong contender for Secretary of Defense.
Senator Fetterman took to social media to express his thoughts on DeSantis, indicating that he might consider voting in favor of DeSantis if certain conditions were met. Fetterman humorously mentioned DeSantis' rumored use of lifts in his boots, suggesting that DeSantis should address this speculation.
Both Kelly and Fetterman raised serious concerns about Pete Hegseth's nomination, citing his lack of experience and personal issues. Kelly emphasized that Hegseth's background does not seem to align with the demands of leading the US Department of Defense, which he described as one of the largest organizations globally. Kelly also pointed out that there are numerous highly qualified individuals who could be considered for the role and receive bipartisan support.
Fetterman echoed Kelly's sentiments, emphasizing the need for Hegseth to undergo a thorough FBI background check. Both senators expressed reservations about Hegseth's suitability for the position and suggested that alternative candidates with stronger qualifications should be considered for the role.
