Sunny Hostin criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on “The View” concerning a Signal chat incident, asserting that such issues did not occur under former Secretary Lloyd Austin, whom she labeled as more competent. However, she omitted significant failures during Austin’s leadership, including poor evacuation strategies in Afghanistan that led to loss of life.
In a recent episode of ABC’s “The View,” co-host Sunny Hostin criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding a Signal chat incident that included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Hostin emphasized that similar issues did not arise during former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s tenure, using this to assert Hegseth’s unfitness for military leadership.
Hostin stated, “You know, the thing is we all knew that Hegseth was unqualified for this job and he replaced a four-star general with over 40 years of experience, Lloyd Austin… This would not have happened and did not happen on Lloyd Austin’s watch.” She further asserted that individuals involved should be fired and held accountable, recalling Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation following an assassination attempt on the president.
Furthermore, Hostin highlighted the essential responsibility of Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, emphasizing that the decision to utilize the group chat was indeed his. However, she neglected to mention that Austin was in charge during the military withdrawal from Bagram Air Base, leading to vulnerabilities that resulted in tragedy at Abbey Gate, which claimed the lives of 13 service members and many civilians. Hostin also omitted details regarding Austin’s absence while hospitalized, leaving a subordinate in command without notifying the White House.
In summary, Sunny Hostin’s critique of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the Signal chat incident reflects her belief in his unqualification for the role. However, her criticism overlooks significant failures during Lloyd Austin’s leadership. Key decisions under Austin’s command, including the withdrawal from Bagram Air Base, directly impacted the safety of military personnel and the success of evacuations in Afghanistan, highlighting systemic issues within the leadership structure. Hostin advocates for accountability yet does not account for previous misjudgments by those in command before Hegseth.
Original Source: www.dailywire.com