'They think they can blow us off': Trump team accused of hiding embattled Cabinet nominee
Democratic senators are growing increasingly aggravated with Donald Trump's transition team for being less than forthcoming with providing information and making one of the president-elect's more controversial Cabinet nominees available.
According to a report from the New York Times, accusations are being made by Democrats that Trump and his people are trying to rush former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth through his hearing scheduled for next Tuesday while at the same time failing to turn over critical information.
As the report notes, when Trump met with Senate Republicans on Wednesday, he put particular emphasis on getting Hegseth through quickly despite allegations of sexual assault and financial improprieties when he headed multiple veterans groups.
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The Times is reporting, "Democrats on the committee have begun raising objections about a potential lack of access to background materials such as an F.B.I. report on Mr. Hegseth, who settled a civil case with a woman who accused him of sexual assault, and has faced allegations of sexual harassment, drinking on the job and financial mismanagement," before adding, "Democrats say the F.B.I. report on Mr. Hegseth might be shared only with the top Republican and Democrat on the panel, a break with normal procedures in which committee members are generally allowed access to such reports."
Add to that, Trump's transition team has reportedly been keeping the controversial Hegseth away from senators who want to personally interview him, instead promising to make him available after his Tuesday hearing.
That has raised the ire of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) who accused, “They are stonewalling us. Without putting too fine a point on it, they think they can blow us off.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Il) is also raising questions.
“Is he somebody that is blackmailable?” Ms. Duckworth asked. “I don’t know. But I should be able to know if I’m going to have to vote for him for secretary of defense.”
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