(DC Pundit) – Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) has offered a less-than-enthusiastic critique of President Donald Trump’s choice for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby. It seems that Cotton is determined to pull Colby’s seat out from under him.
Colby, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development during Trump’s first term, was nominated by the president in December.
Trump, in his typical understated fashion, announced, “Elbridge ‘Bridge’ Colby will serve as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.” He went on to praise Colby as “A highly respected advocate for our America First foreign and defense policy,” adding that Colby would work closely with Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth to “restore our Military power, and achieve my policy of PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
However, it appears that Senator Cotton didn’t get the memo about playing nice. Reports suggest he’s been working behind the scenes to throw a wrench in Colby’s confirmation process.
I am profoundly honored by and grateful to President @realdonaldtrump for nominating me to serve as his Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. If confirmed by the Senate, it would be an exceptional privilege to work with @petehegseth and his team to implement President Trump’s… https://t.co/tC4DIzzlqo
— Elbridge Colby (@ElbridgeColby) December 22, 2024
In a tweet, Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, accused Cotton of “sabotaging” Colby’s confirmation, declaring, “The effort to undermine President Trump continues in the US Senate.”
Kirk’s tweet continued, “Sen. Tom Cotton is working behind the scenes to stop Trump’s pick, Elbridge Colby, from getting confirmed at DOD. Colby is one of the most important pieces to stop the Bush/Cheney cabal at DOD. Why is Tom Cotton doing this?”
The effort to undermine President Trump continues in the US Senate @SenTomCotton is working behind the scenes to stop Trump’s pick, Elbridge Colby, from getting confirmed at DOD
Colby is one of the most important pieces to stop the Bush/Cheney cabal at DOD
Why is Tom Cotton… pic.twitter.com/6pAXZkKZTw
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 16, 2025
Why the opposition to Bridge? What does he think Bridge will do?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 16, 2025
Tom Cotton didn’t want the 2020 election fraud investigated
Dude is blackmailed or paid off, or both
Somebody needs to primary him in 2026
— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) February 16, 2025
@charliekirk11 Charlie, you're spot on again Tom Cotton is just another RINO trying to sabotage President Trump's agenda. Elbridge Colby is a crucial pick to shake up the Bush/Cheney cabal at DOD and put America first. We can't let the swamp win Keep exposing these traitors,…
— The Scoop (@TheScoopUS) February 16, 2025
Ben Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Semafor, reported that Cotton’s opposition stems from Colby’s alleged suggestion that the U.S. could live with a nuclear-armed Iran.
A source close to Cotton stated, “Senator Cotton disagrees, opposes Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and is addressing his policy concerns with the White House.”
Funny way to get support in the Senate for a vote that was widely expected to go fine — despite the fight now spilling into the open
Cottons issue, I'm told, is Colby suggesting the U.S. can live with a nuclear Iran.
"Senator Cotton disagrees, opposes Iran from getting a… https://t.co/2r3eQlbRaJ
— Ben Smith (@semaforben) February 16, 2025
This political maneuvering by Cotton unfolds against the backdrop of Trump’s vision for the Department of Defense. The president sees Colby as a key player in his “Make America Great Again” strategy. Trump’s announcement praised Colby’s Harvard College and Yale Law School pedigree.
Will Colby survive Cotton’s attempts to sabotage his confirmation?
Stay tuned, America.
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