Elissa Slotkin warns against political bias in Trump's national security picks

In late 2022, in a televised interview, Elissa Slotkin, a senator-elect from Michigan and former CIA officer, raised alarms regarding President-elect Donald Trump's national security Cabinet picks. Slotkin articulated her fears that selections such as Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for head of national intelligence could be influenced by political considerations rather than objective assessments of intelligence. She emphasized the necessity for national security officials to prioritize truth over political agendas, suggesting that truthful reporting is critical for the integrity of U.S. intelligence operations. Slotkin criticized Hegseth for previous comments against women serving in combat roles, voicing the concerns of women in the military about their future under his potential leadership. Slotkin also highlighted the apprehension among senior women officers regarding the implications of Hegseth’s candidacy on military culture and diversity initiatives. Despite expressing reservations about other nominees, she offered a more favorable perspective on Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. She argued for the importance of American leadership on the world stage, contrasting it with rival nations like China and Russia. Slotkin acknowledged the uncertain political climate and the need for careful evaluation during the Senate’s confirmation process, although she refrained from making any definitive statements about her voting intentions on the nominees.