Pentagon belatedly defends Driscoll against Loomer attacks

Politico

2 days ago

He also 'stands by every single Medal of Honor recipient,' Wilson said. 'They are all heroes in our eyes and that includes Flo Groberg.'
Hegseth, who is prolific on both his personal and official X accounts, has not commented about Loomer's posts.
Loomer, in an interview this week before the Pentagon comments, said she and Hegseth had spoken, but would not say whether the conversation involved Driscoll.
'I'm not telling Pete Hegseth how to do his job,' Loomer said. 'He's a good leader in the sense that he's not just ignoring [issues I raise] and saying, 'Oh, well, it doesn't matter.''
The conservative activist, in her rant against Driscoll, also complained that he hired former Biden cyber policy official Jen Easterly for a part-time teaching position. Easterly is a West Point graduate who served in uniform for two decades. The Army secretary isn't normally consulted on hiring decisions at West Point, but Driscoll ordered the offer rescinded after a previous Loomer post and called for a review of how appointments at the academy are made.
She also lashed out at Groberg — who was honored by the Army's social media account for his heroism — for being 'an immigrant who voted for Hillary Clinton.'
Loomer didn't back down from her criticism of Driscoll, an Army combat vet and longtime Republican. 'When is this guy going to realize that he doesn't have the political acumen or the political knowledge of the MAGA movement?' she said in the interview, adding she wasn't trying to get him fired.
She also suggested Driscoll's close friendship with Vice President JD Vance, who know each other from their time at Yale Law School, has helped deflect some criticism.
'Is being friends with the vice president a qualification in today's world?' she said. 'I personally thought that there would be a higher bar aside from just being really good friends with the vice president.'
The Defense Department's support came too late from some in the Pentagon, who were frustrated that leaders didn't defend the combat heroes more quickly.
'A medal of honor recipient shouldn't need defending, but leadership has let this slide,' said a defense official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.
The Pentagon, when asked for comment, wouldn't say whether Hegseth agreed with Loomer's criticisms.
'Secretary Hegseth appreciates Ms. Loomer's outside public advocacy,' Pentagon spokesperson Joel Valdez said. 'He has total confidence in Army Secretary Driscoll.'