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Not everyone at Space X has a TS. I interviewed with Space X many years ago for a security position and a government clearance was not required. At that time my Secret clearance had already expired. Secret clearance are active for 10 years. Possibly only Space X employees working on classified government contracts would at least a need to have Secret level clearance. Mixing? I don't know anything about that. It is common practice for those who take government position to divest or even completely withdraw from commerical ventures to avoid a conflict of interest. If I know this then Democractic Senators know it and should bring this issue up at confirmation hearings.

For Trump that was in the past. For Musk does he currently hold a government security clearance? If he does then it could be an issue.

Trump has not been sworn in yet and Musk is a private citzen and he can talk to anyone and anywhere.

It has been like that for decades. What Dwight Eisenhower warned the world about has come true: The Military Industrial Complex thrives globally. Musk and/or Hegseth cannot touch it. If certains banks are too big to fail then the Defense Industry is the beast that cannot be killed. Experiened military officers knows this and work within the belly of the beast. Musk's Space X has been dealing with NASA but I do not know what their contracting process is. I am very versed in the DOD process and it is a beast. No one can kill it and I doubt Musk or Fox and Friends host Pete can impact it.

I hope that does not happen. Dem Senators have to decide who they want out of the running? My money is on Gaetz.

In some aspects the DOD is run like a business: 1) RFI-Request for Information on future contracts 2) RFP_Frequest for Proposals on future contracts 3) Competitive Bidding Process then occurrs 4) DCAA-Defense Contract Audit Ageny. The title explains it and these guys and girls were snoopiing around in many parts of Kuwait, A-stan and Iraq. Utlimately final decisions are made by Sec Def after consulting with POTUS.

Yes I am and a combat veteran. I care about the men and women under the command of Sec Def Hegseth.

Actually the CEO of a large Defense Contractor would have relevant experience to run the DOD. A good chunk of the annual defense budget ($800 Billion) is spent on contracts to the various defense contractors. Awarding of contracts is a big part of the business of the DOD. The DOD is run like a business. Government does not make anything. What they need is actually purchased from companies. The extent of Hegseth's leadership experience is an army platoon leader. At best he was in charge of 30 to 50 soldiers. If confirmed he would lead an agency with close to 2 million military, civilian and contractors. Scaling up be an understatement. Yes, the DOD needs change but I doubt Hegseth is the right man for the job. But with the Republicans in charge of the senate he might get confirmed.

I don't think they like each other:

I never mentioned POTUS or VPOTUS.

If she says yes it would happen. Many Californians would back Kamala Harris for California governor, new pollsuggests

Rubio will be an easy confirmation. Names like Gaetz, Gabbard and Hegseth will be difficult. Not uncommon for the firt nominees to be bow out before hearings.

In the Army we use the term Platoon Leader. As for the DOD it is a mess and yes DEI needs to go but Sec Def has a long list on a daily basis. As an outsider to the Pentagon he would offer a fresh perspective but he has to work with "old men" in uniform who have been in place for decades. If confirmed this will be the most difficult hurdle to overcome.

I am not a Trumper, not MAGA, not a Dem or a leftie but Hegseth has written 6 books but does that make him a good fit as Sectreaty of Defense? I don't know it will be up to the Senate. Of course Republicans have a majority and a simple majority vote is needed for a cabinet appointment.

From the esteemed Democratic Senator from PA John Fetterman about Matt Gaetz: "That <deleted>". Let the games begin.

Ok. So what makes a person qualified to run the largest Federal Agency in the US Government: 1 Annual budget of over $800 Billion 2. Close to 1 million men and women on active duty 3. Close to 1 million civilian employees in the DOD 4. Hundreds of military bases in Asia, Europe and Middle East Hegseth was a commissioned officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and was assigned to Guantanamo, Cuba where he was part of the detainee operations. Also, he won the Bronze Star so that is significant. Many servicemembers have been deployed to both places and this includes myself. It does not appear he held a command position such as company commander or even as a battalion commander. His last military status was as a member of the IRR(Individual Ready Reserve). Just like you let's see how his confirmation hearing goes? The DOD is serious business and like many veterans we are concerned as to where the "bucks stops" at the Pentagon.

The Matt Gaetz confirmation hearing (that is if he stays in) could be wild. Not sure how many friends Gaetz has on eitehr side of the Senate aisle.

You mean retired general? An active duty general cannot be a paid consultant.

I used to watch Fox & Friends on the weekends where Hegseth is one of the hosts and watching him act like a clown at times was cringeworthy. Just can't imagine him holding a staff meeting wih the JCS. In essence a TV personality who is a veteran has been nominated to one of the most important positions in the cabinet.

As a combat veteran like Hegseth I believe his nomination as Secretary of Defense is a mistake. Hegseth has degrees from 2 Ivy League Univeristies and is an Iraq Combat veteran but there are two things that concern me about him: 1) He has been with Fox News for a long time (8 years) 2) He has publicly demonstrated absolute loyalty to Donald Trump. Can he be objective and disagree with POTUS? Hegseth rose to the rank of Captain and this is not a big deal because the rank of Capatin (O-3) is not difficult to achieve. There are many captains running around in the armed forces. Sec Def is an executive level position that requires skills Hegseth has never displayed or demonstrated that he has experience in. This nomination appears to be a reward for loyalty. He might be in over his head or he could shock everyone and do a great job. We shall see.

1) Worked for the UN in Haiti. So I have some experience wtih Haitians. I will keep it short: Would not want a group of Haitians as neighbors. I will not say anything else to keep it respectful and dignified. 2) The process of deporting any foreigner from the US can be complicated and lengthy. On any given day CBP carries out deportations. This is after a series of hearing because in the USA everyone is entitled to due process. This includes foreigners regardless of their immigration status. CBP deportations can be simple as physically escorting a foreinger to an airport and walking then onboard an international flight. I was on a flight from LAX to S. Korea and a guy was escorted on board by two CBP officers. It was a low key event. It's not like CBP and HSI are going into neighborhoods and chase people up and down alleys to detain them for deportaion.

One last email to Dad: "Please send me $145,000 so I can buy the 20 year Elite Visa for Thailand". I'm certian he can afford it. For once I would like those who are leaving America because of Donald Trump to state where they will go and how long they will stay. Former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen said he is leaving but did not state where and for how long? He was rambling about how he might get a new passport with a different name? Ah, Mr Lawyer that might be illegal?

"Leaving the USA"? It does sound like if one revokes? Of course one has to actually pay to revoke as well. I do know someone who actually revoked and became a citizen of an EU (he married a lady from the EU) and besides paying the revocation fee (at thie time it was about $2,000) there were no other fees.

I wonder can people actually cry, moan and have meldtowns for 4 years? I guess we shall see.

Well I guess by 2027 when the Dems are back in control of Congress then Impeachment 3.0 or 4.0 can happen. Also, what the heck invoke the 25th Ammendment. But then many on the left don't want a President Vance as well. So what do do unitl 2028?