By Matt Underwood Two GOP senators, Susan Collins and Thom Tillis, are apparently not thrilled with Pete Hegseth’s attempts to punish Senator Mark Kelly. It seems Hegseth, known for his commentary, is trying to make a statement about Kelly’s actions, and the response from these two senators is pretty clear: they don’t think it’s the right move. Collins, who has a significant role in the Senate regarding the Pentagon’s budget, flat-out stated that targeting Kelly’s retired rank or pension is inappropriate. She obviously understands the gravity of the situation and the potential implications of Hegseth’s actions.
Tillis, for his part, also chimed in, calling the Pentagon’s censure of Kelly “ridiculous.” It’s worth noting, though, that he also criticized Kelly’s video. However, his overall sentiment seems to be that Hegseth is overreaching, and that his actions might have a “chilling effect on speech.” He likely recognizes the potential for this to backfire and create more issues than it solves. It suggests that there is some level of concern that the backlash could further damage the party’s image or, as some suggest, actually bolster Kelly’s standing.
The whole situation seems a bit ironic, particularly given the background. Apparently, Hegseth made statements in 2016 that, in essence, were similar to what Kelly expressed recently. The implication is, what’s good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander, and that there is a clear bias here. The overall impression is that Hegseth’s move is politically motivated rather than based on principle or actual wrongdoing. The senators probably realize this, and are trying to mitigate the damage.
The responses from Collins and Tillis are interesting, and perhaps reveal a degree of frustration within the Republican party. Some critics describe Collins as someone who talks a big game but doesn’t follow through with action. The general tone is, ‘She’s concerned and won’t do anything’. Others suggest that the whole endeavor is counterproductive, with Hegseth inadvertently boosting Kelly’s profile and potentially paving the way for a more successful political career for the Senator. It appears the general consensus is that Hegseth is making Kelly look more heroic and that the negative press surrounding this could even backfire.
The criticisms directed at Hegseth aren’t just about the political optics, either. There’s a deeper concern about the potential for abuse of power, especially since several members of the GOP have military backgrounds themselves and could be targeted by Democrats if the precedent is set. If this is a tit-for-tat situation, then things could escalate quickly, and the senators might just be aware of the implications. This isn’t a partisan game that only Republicans can play, and, if that is the implication, it’s just not practical or reasonable.
The responses from Collins and Tillis are a reflection of a deeper frustration with the situation. Some believe that the Republicans could watch someone personally do something malicious, and they would do nothing about it, saying it’s rude. Some call it “spineless,” suggesting that these politicians are more concerned with their own political survival than with upholding any ethical standards.
The lack of decisive action on the part of the senators is seen as a sign of weakness and cowardice. Many would rather see these politicians take the initiative and confront the issues head-on, even if it means stepping outside the comfort zone. This inaction also reflects the current state of the Republican party, which some view as being in a state of moral decay, with Trump and his allies being the primary culprits. They feel that it’s time to take action, and that it’s time to stop the games.
Ultimately, the warnings from Collins and Tillis probably won’t stop Hegseth from pursuing his agenda. The senators may be trying to give the appearance that they have a conscience, but many are skeptical that this is anything more than political posturing. The general feeling is that these are hollow gestures, and that real change will require more than just a few strongly worded statements. And even if they did stop Hegseth, it still might not be enough to satisfy the public’s thirst for actual accountability.