Lawrence Pareles: Reject nominations of Patel, Kennedy, Hegseth for vital cabinet positions

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Published: 01-22-2025 7:51 AM |
The recent cabinet nominations by President Donald Trump — Kash Patel for FBI director, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary, and Pete Hegseth for secretary of Defense are not just poor choices — they are dangerous. These appointments could jeopardize our nation’s safety, health and security at a time when we need strong, competent leadership the most.
Now is when we need people in government whose loyalty is to the American people and the U.S. Constitution, not to any one man.
Patel has no significant law enforcement background, yet he’s nominated to lead the FBI, an agency thath protects us from terrorism, cyberattacks, and organized crime. Entrusting such a critical role to someone who is so unqualified is reckless and could be disastrous.
Kennedy has spread harmful conspiracy theories about vaccines, undermining trust in public health during a time when misinformation is already costing lives. How can we expect him to protect the health of millions of Americans when he has repeatedly endangered them with his words?
Hegseth, while a veteran, lacks the experience needed to lead the Department of Defense, the largest and most complex military in the world. His lack of expertise and inflammatory words and writings means that we cannot trust him to make critical decisions about our national security and lead our defense.
This is not about politics — it’s about survival. These appointments put lives at risk. The Senate must reject these nominees to protect our country’s future. We cannot afford to gamble with our safety, health and security.
Please call and email our fine Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to remind them that we support them — and to urge them to do everything possible to defeat these totally unqualified nominees. Thank you.
Lawrence Pareles
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