<p>Obama administration alum Jeh Johnson defended two of the people President-elect <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> has chosen to serve in national security-related positions in his incoming administration: former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and decorated U.S. Army veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.</p>
<p>While Johnson made it clear — during his Thursday appearance on CNN News Central — that he was not a fan of Trump&#8217;s choice for <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-nominates-matt-gaetz-for-attorney-general" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Attorney General</a>, he was willing to give a little grace on some of the others. He even defended Gabbard and Hegseth, explaining why they could be solid choices for those specific roles in Trump&#8217;s new administration.</p>
<p>Host Sara Sidner raised the question regarding Gabbard first, repeating the preferred Democrat-media narrative that the former Democrat is somehow beholden to Russia.</p>
<p>&#8220;She has spread Russian propaganda. She has challenged the intelligence on whether President Assad used chemical weapons, which the intelligence said he had certainly done. And now she’s in this position to potentially head the high intelligence agency over all intelligence agencies. What does this mean? To you?&#8221; she asked.</p>
<p>&#8220;Well, I’m going to surprise you a little bit. I don’t think that it is an absolute prerequisite that the director of national intelligence be someone of the intelligence community. I also believe that on occasion, it’s a good thing to be skeptical of the intelligence that we’re provided. Those of us who are in a position of making serious decisions, policymakers,&#8221; Johnson replied.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</strong></a></p>
<p>&#8220;So being skeptical of what the intelligence community produces can be a good thing. And I’m thinking of the intelligence leading up to the Iraq war, for example,&#8221; he added.</p>
<p>Sidner then pivoted to Hegseth — a 20-year veteran who received two Bronze Stars and deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay — whom she referred to as a &#8220;Fox anchor&#8221; and only mentioned briefly that he served in the National Guard.</p>
<p>&#8220;Let me ask you about another controversial pick, a Fox anchor, Pete Hegseth. He did serve in the Army National Guard, but now he is up for secretary of defense. And, you know, he said a few things. He has lobbied for people who are accused of war crimes in Afghanistan. He recently said that women do not belong in combat roles. But you have said that you’d give him the benefit of the doubt. Why?&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt,&#8221; Johnson said. &#8220;Because here’s somebody who was well-educated, obviously intelligent, was in financial services, was in the Wall Street community for a while, could have made a lot of money and chose to leave that, put on the uniform of our country, and see combat. So I give him the benefit of the doubt for that reason.&#8221;</p>
<p>Johnson went on to say that both Gabbard and Hegseth would have to appear before the Senate for their confirmation hearings, and he said that he expected the Senate to do its job in vetting them thoroughly.</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Obama DHS Chief Defends Trump’s NatSec-Related Cabinet Picks: Gabbard, Hegseth

CONTINUE READING

Spencer Pratt Thinks He Found The Fix For L.A.’s Homeless Disaster

Why Trump Might Not Make It To His Son Don Jr’s Wedding

Spencer Pratt Reveals His Political Role Model

WATCH: Suspected Fraudster On The Run After Fourth-Floor Balcony Escape

WATCH: The Moment Police Officer Catches Baby Thrown From Burning Home

One Of America’s Most Dangerous Rescue Missions Is Becoming A Movie

News

Barack Obama

Donald Trump

Executive

Jeh Johnson

National Security

Pete Hegseth

Politics

Tulsi Gabbard

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Obama DHS Chief Defends Trump’s NatSec-Related Cabinet Picks: Gabbard, Hegseth