What’s a meritocracy, anyway? The precise says eliminating variety, fairness and inclusion will create a society the place individuals will probably be judged solely on their talents, not identification.
If that’s the case, one would anticipate President Donald Trump‘s potential Cupboard to be made up of nothing however the very best and the brightest. So how then do you clarify the appointments of vaccine skeptic nepo child Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and embittered conspiracy theorist Kash Patel, Trump’s picks to steer Well being and Human Providers and the FBI?
Then there’s Pete Hegseth, who was compelled to step down by the 2 nonprofit advocacy teams he as soon as ran — Veterans for Freedom and Involved Veterans for America — following accusations of monetary mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and private misconduct.
“My God, Sean, if you’re speaking about people who find themselves unqualified,” sports activities commentator Stephen A. Smith advised Fox Information Channel’s Sean Hannity Tuesday night time. “I want (Hegseth) nothing however the very best. He served our nation within the navy. However if you’re a weekend host on Fox Information, and now you’re the protection secretary overseeing three and half million individuals, that isn’t certified.”
Smith’s feedback adopted a dialogue of DEI, which MAGA has recognized as the reason for every part dangerous that’s ever occurred in human historical past. And his level is well-taken. Changing a various discipline of candidates with one made up virtually fully of “mediocre white boys” (credit score: Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett) doesn’t strike a blow for competence.
Smith has largely curried favor with Trump since his re-election, saying he regretted voting for Kamala Harris within the 2024 election. He’s additionally accused the Joe Biden administration of orchestrating a witch hunt towards the Republican standard-bearer and echoed MAGA’s false declare that federal brokers have been concerned within the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the U.S. Capitol.
His criticism of Hesgeth didn’t sit effectively with MAGA nation, which had been warming as much as the ESPN stalwart.
“Whenever you’re a sportscaster, you’re not certified to talk on politics,” wrote one commenter on X. “Is that how this works?”
“Conveniently leaves our training, navy background, and expertise ..Good strive ..Follow the newest NBA information…,” wrote one other.
Hesgeth is definitely well-educated, with levels from Princeton and Harvard. And his navy service, deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003 to 2014 and once more from 2019 to 2021, warrants respect. However these {qualifications} have little to do with managing the large paperwork that’s the Protection Division.
Is a person who couldn’t handle two small nonprofits actually the very best particular person for the job?
Smith, in the meantime, stays a polarizing determine, alienating many progressive followers together with his pro-Trump takes. However his protection of DEI could have gained a few of them again.
“Stephen A. Smith is out right here dropping fact bombs on DEI,” remarked a fan on X. “If he retains this up, don’t be stunned when he begins exhibiting up in much more 2028 Democratic presidential major polls.”
The meritocracy works in mysterious methods.
