Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a tense exchange with Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz when discussing the Ukraine conflict during a budget hearing on Tuesday.
Speaking during a 2023 budget hearing in front of the House Committee on Armed Services Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “This is the most capable, most combat-critical force in the world. It has been and it will be so going forward.” (GAETZ) “Not if we go down this path, not if we embrace socialism.” (AUSTIN) “The fact that you’re embarrassed by–by your country, by your–” (GAETZ) “No no. I’m embarrassed by your leadership. I’m not embarrassed for my country.”
Rep. Gaetz followed up with, “Maybe we would be better off if the National Defense actually worked a little more on strategy and a little less on wokeism.” (AUSTIN) “Has it occured to you that Russia has not overrun Ukraine because of what we’ve done? and our allies have done?” (GAETZ) “But that was baked into your flawed assessment! That was baked into your flawed assessment.”