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To say the least, it is bizarre to hear the Trump White House defend its recent backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the name of “restoring merit to government service.” This at a time when, objectively speaking, some of the least qualified Cabinet nominees in American history are being pushed through Congress.
Linda McMahon and Kristi Noem are just two examples of nominees whose “merit” seems to consist entirely of blind personal loyalty to the president. Pete Hegseth is an outlier even within this coterie — not only grossly underqualified but possessed of personal demons that would have swiftly disqualified him in initial vetting in most other administrations, Republican or Democratic.
Sen. Susan Collins was right to buck the party line and to oppose Hegseth’s nomination, and all Americans — regardless of their political outlook — must demand higher-quality candidates for top-level positions.
Jason Moreau
Orrington