Yes, it is only fitting that today is Donald Trump’s Day.
In the most extraordinary comeback in modern U.S history, Trump will be inaugurated as the country’s 47th president today.
He overcame Democrat collusion attempts to destroy him in lawfare cases in New York, Georgia and Washington, as well as two assassination attempts, to storm back to the White House.
His Mar-a-Lago home was raided, and his mugshot went around the world,
Yet, on the way, he became stronger. He persevered and instead of being destroyed, he wrecked the Democrat Party instead. Or, as some would suggest, he helped Democrat Party wreck itself.
And so today, there he is, standing tall, bigger than life, and on the verge of bringing about vast and needy changes to the country as well as changes across the globe.
Swagger is back.
Indictive of what is to come was the compelling performance of Peter Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, before the Senate Armed Service Committee last week.
Hegseth was the leadoff hitter, and he hit it out of the park.
Hegseth coolly fought off Democrat attempt to mug him the way they tried to mug Trump. The Democrats went low, Hegseth went high.
His successful appearance was like the opening act for today’s main event which, of course, is Trump.
Hegseth, 42, is a former combat veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as a Fox television host, who has promised to shake up the Pentagon and bring the “warrior ethos” back to the armed services.
This means, among other things, rebuilding the military and ending wokeism and the plague of DEI that has distracted from the main purpose of the military.
While Republican senators generally questioned Hegseth of the issues confronting the military, the Democrats, seeking to derail his nomination, were personal, down and dirty, centering on unsubstantiated allegations of Hegseth’s sexual affairs and drinking.
Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, who looked as though he had been on a boozy bender, pressed Hegseth of infidelity and boozing.
This brought out an unusual response by Republican committee member Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.
Mullin, looking across at Kaine, said, “Senator Kaine, or I better use the senator from Virginia, starts bringing up the fact that, what if you showed up drunk to your job? How many senators have showed up drunk to vote at night?” The hearing room broke out in knowing laughter.
Mullin, a Native American and a citizen of Cherokee Nation, unlike fellow committee member Sen. Elizabeth Warren– who once claimed Cherokee ancestry—went on.
He said, “And then how many senators do you know have got a divorce for cheating on their wives? Did you ask them to step down? No.”
He accused the Democrats of hypocrisy. “It’s so ridiculous that you guys hold yourself as this higher standard. You forget you got a big plank in your eye.”
The next Democrat up with gotcha questions was Warren who tried to set Hegseth up by quoting what he had written about banning retiring generals from working for the defense industry or becoming lobbyists.
“Will you put your money where your mouth is and agree that when you leave you will not work for the defense industry for ten years?” Warren asked.
“Senator, it’s not even a question I’ve thought about,” Hegseth replied.
Warren shot back, saying, “In other words, you’re quite sure that every general who serves should not go directly into the defense industry for ten years, but you’re not willing to make the same pledge?”
“I’m not a general,” Hegseth fired back.
Warren gave an embarrassed look as the hearing room burst into laughter, not at Hegseth but at the cringing Warren.
When it was done the Democrats on the committee came across as old protectors of the U.S. military that they have made woke, weakened and wobbly, while the Republican Hegseth was viewed as the young, tough military reformer who will make the military great again.
It was a good day for Hegseth and for Trump.
But not nearly as good as today.
Swagger is back. Just in time.
Peter Lucas is a veteran political reporter. Email him at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com
