Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker reportedly has attributed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comments about Ukraine to just a “rookie mistake.”
Last week, Hegseth said it was “unrealistic” for Ukraine to expect to reclaim the borders it had prior to Russia’s 2022 invasion, suggesting that the United States would be OK with Russia being rewarded with additional territory for its assault on a democratic neighbor.
Maybe Hegseth will learn, but don’t count on it.
He was clearly unqualified for the position when the committee Wicker chairs in the Senate recommended his confirmation based on nothing other than either loyalty to Donald Trump or fear of the political muscle the president wields.
Hegseth’s main attribute was as a talking head on Fox News — a forum where saying the outrageous is encouraged and rewarded. Diplomacy, though, calls for care before opening one’s mouth, or it can send the wrong signal to friends and enemies alike. It’s not a skill that’s easily acquired by those who like to hear themselves talk.
