Embattled Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth apparently discovered one thing from his days as a presenter on Fox News — the significance of being camera-ready.
Amid reviews of infighting and chaos at the Pentagon, and with the secretary underneath fireplace for a second breach of operational security, CBS News reports that Hegseth just lately ordered modifications to a room subsequent to the division’s press briefing room to show it right into a make-up studio.
Citing a number of sources, the community says the venture price a number of thousand {dollars}, at a time when Donald Trump’s administration is meant to be centered on cost-cutting.
A Defense Department spokesperson instructed CBS Information in a press release: “Adjustments and upgrades to the Pentagon Briefing Room are nothing new and routinely occur throughout modifications in an administration.”
Based on a supply who spoke to CBS, an in-house building crew renovated the briefing room’s adjoining inexperienced room earlier this 12 months. It beforehand had minimal furnishings, comprising a desk and chairs, a TV, photographs of former protection secretaries, and a mirror on the again of the door.
One other supply mentioned the desk was eliminated and a brand new chair and a big mirror with make-up lighting had been put in.
The Pentagon spokesperson mentioned the room will likely be obtainable to senior leaders and VIPs forward of press engagements and that the brand new objects got here from current stock, with a brand new countertop constructed by amenities employees.
Pete Hegseth within the Pentagon briefing room throughout an look on Fox & Associates (FOX)
“For this improve, we had been intentionally conservative and opted for a number of cheaper, on-hand materiel options,” the spokesperson instructed CBS.
The community reviews that, in accordance with a number of sources, the thought for making over the inexperienced room got here from Tami Radabaugh, the deputy assistant to the secretary for strategic engagement and a former producer for Fox Information and for CBS Information.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, and Jennifer Hegseth, the protection secretary’s spouse — additionally a former Fox producer — expressed approval for the work, one of many sources mentioned.
Whereas Hegseth has not used the briefing room to deal with or take questions from reporters, it has been used as a set for TV appearances, together with a current interview on Fox & Associates wherein he blamed former Pentagon employees and the media for revealing the latest safety breach wherein he despatched delicate army data to his spouse, brother, and lawyer on a Sign group chat.
Notably, Hegseth didn’t deny the reviews that he shared operational data together with his household and shut associates about strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Pete Hegseth’s spouse, Jennifer, accredited of the room’s makeover, in accordance with reviews. (Getty Photos)
It was the second such incident this 12 months after Nationwide Safety Adviser Michael Waltz by chance included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, in a Sign group chat of presidency officers wherein Hegseth shared strike occasions and particulars of the army operation.
He maintains that he didn’t share categorised data in both case.
Hegseth, a fight veteran, was a morning present co-host on Fox & Associates Weekend earlier than being nominated and confirmed as Trump’s protection secretary — a controversial course of amid allegations of sexual misconduct, monetary mismanagement, and alcohol points that he denied.
When talking about his focus on the Pentagon, he has emphasised making enhancements in warfighting talents and army readiness to “revive the warrior ethos.”
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