[This article first appeared at Common Dreams on July 15, 2025.]
The Tragedy of Thom Tillis
The incompetence of President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense is painfully obvious. Former Fox & Friends weekend host Pete Hegseth was never qualified for the job. Belatedly, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) – who became the key vote to confirm the nominee – now admits it.
Tillis squandered a unique opportunity to protect the nation from Hegseth. The country is now paying the price for his cowardice.
Tillis’s Reversal
In a phone call with Trump just before Christmas, Tillis promised to support all of Trump’s cabinet picks. But he developed strong reservations about Pete Hegseth – strong enough to participate in a secret effort to kill the nomination. Serious issues about character, statements about barring women in combat, and allegations of sexual misconduct dogged Hegseth. He had none of the qualifications necessary to run the defense department of more than two million military and civilian personnel.
[To continue reading, please click here to reach my Substack page (No paywall)]:
https://stevenjharper.substack.com/p/the-tragedy-of-thom-tillis
The Belly of the Beast 