'Why denigrate this man's service?' Scott Jennings defends Pete Hegseth after 'just a TV host' remark

Scott Jennings strongly defended Pete Hegseth after a Washington Post columnist

Catherine Rampell

downplayed Hegseth’s qualifications, claiming his main accomplishment was being a TV host, during a CNN panel.
In a video reposted by CNN opinion contributor Scott Jenningson on his X handle, Rampell can be heard describing Hegseth as “articulate and polished,” asserting that his primary credential was his television career. “He was very articulate and polished and he's a TV host. That's his main qualification,” she said which visibly angered Jennings.
Responding to the panelist, the conservative political strategist and writer fired back, calling the remark disrespectful and highlighting Hegseth’s military background. "Why denigrate this man's service, I don't understand. 20 years. Decorated. Ivy Leaguer" Jennings said.
This led to a back and forth between the two with both defending their stances. "Not every member who serves deserves to be in charge of the dod," claimed Rampell to which Jennings countered again on Hegseth's qualifications as an army veteran. Addressing the host, he said," She said his main qualification is that he's a TV host. And I'm sorry, that's just baloney. His Qualification is that he's a war fighter, and he's going to be the closest war fighter we've ever had to the enlisted people running the Pentagon. He's decorated, he's an ivy league"

This was followed by CNN anchor Abby Phillip asserting, "To be clear, Scott, I hear you say that because I remember Pete Hegseth said it. I think you should recall that there have been people who have run the Pentagon who have been in war. Even if they are officers, they have been in war. Their service doesn't get to be denigrated either."
To this Jennings once again said, "He's closer to the average enlisted man who has been deployed and deployed and deployed."

Meanwhile, as Hegseth faces confirmation hearings, Jennings in another interview praised his conduct saying, " kicked their (Democrats) asses today)". Jennings expressed to his CNN colleagues, in response to anchor Dana Bash's question, that the performance was decisively one-sided. He noted, "I mean, it wasn’t even close. They didn’t lay a glove on Hegseth. No mistakes. Calm, cool, collected."

Pete Hegseth, aged 44 and a veteran of the Army National Guard, underwent an extensive four-and-a-half-hour questioning session before the Senate Armed Services Committee. The committee members scrutinised various aspects of his personal conduct, including his alcohol consumption patterns and allegations of sexual impropriety.
Despite being considered one of the more challenging confirmation prospects among President-elect Donald Trump's nominees, Jennings observed that Hegseth demonstrated thorough preparation in handling the Democratic senators' critical examination. The former Fox News presenter appeared ready to address the opposition's concerns.