If there are any doubts about how unqualified Pete Hegseth is to be secretary of defense, his incompetence and lack of leadership were on full display in his juvenile performance before the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 21.

Rather than addressing questions about his lack of transparency and inconsistent assessments of what has been happening in the conflict with Iran, he argued with senators like a petulant child, repeatedly blaming the prior administration for the failures of this administration.

With Pete Hegseth, the buck does not stop here, but somewhere over there. It’s a pathetic example of leadership. 

In fairness to Hegseth, he has been very busy firing experienced military leaders, blocking promotions and worrying about the race, gender, weight, facial hair and testosterone levels of the troops.

Hopefully this secretary of defense and president will not be the first ones in American history to lose the same war twice.

Peter Watko
Auburn