Copy of the posting on FB
“Ken Dreger No, our enemies will see how further unqualified and inept our so-called leaders are. They are watching us as we self destruct from within. I’m gonna bet if Obama had done this you would be singing a different tune. You would be ranting and raving about it putting our country at risk. But Obama would not have done this. See, when we took out Osama Bin Laden, no one knew that it was gonna happen because President Obama didn’t puff out his chest and scream into a microphone about what he was going to do, as Hegseth did. trump rambles on about DEI, and unqualified, but he has an entire administration of unqualified DEI hires. From a WWE promoter as the Secretary of Education who thinks that AI is the same as steak sauce, to an anti-vaxxer who swam in sewage as the Health and Hunan Resources Secretary.”
My response with facts, not opinion or feelings:
Here’s a factual rebuttal to the claims in that post, based on verified information about the individuals and events mentioned. I’ll address each key point step by step. On Perceived Ineptitude and Self-DestructionThe post suggests U.S. leaders under Trump are “unqualified and inept,” leading to internal self-destruction visible to enemies. However, Trump’s second-term cabinet, including the nominees in question, has been assembled with a focus on loyalty, experience in relevant fields, and alignment with “America First” policies. For instance, Pete Hegseth, confirmed as Secretary of War (Defense), is a Princeton graduate (2003), Harvard Kennedy School master’s holder (2013), and a decorated Army National Guard infantry officer with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay.
He has publicly outlined reforms to eliminate “woke” policies, fire underperforming generals, and refocus on warfighting ethos, which he described in speeches to military brass as preparing for potential conflicts—actions framed as strengthening, not weakening, the military.
Critics from left-leaning sources call this a “purge,” but supporters, including military veterans, see it as necessary house-cleaning after perceived failures under previous administrations.
No evidence from intelligence reports or foreign statements indicates enemies view this as self-destruction; instead, actions like Hegseth’s emphasis on readiness have been tied to deterring adversaries like China.
On Hypocrisy Regarding ObamaThe post claims hypocrisy, asserting that if Obama made similar moves, critics would “rant and rave” about risking the country. This is speculative and ignores context. Obama’s cabinet faced its own controversies—e.g., Eric Holder (Attorney General) was criticized for Fast and Furious, and Kathleen Sebelius (HHS) for Obamacare rollout failures—but these didn’t prompt widespread calls of national risk from the right in the same vein. Trump’s nominees, like those under Obama, underwent Senate confirmation: Hegseth in early 2025, McMahon on March 3, 2025 (51-45 vote), and RFK Jr. on February 13, 2025. If President Obama did this I would support his efforts.
Bipartisan scrutiny occurred, with some Republicans like Bill Cassidy (a doctor) initially expressing vaccine concerns about RFK Jr. before supporting him.
The post’s assumption overlooks that Obama’s picks, like Trump’s, were defended by allies as qualified despite opposition.On Obama vs. Hegseth on Secrecy and BraggingThe post contrasts Obama’s handling of the Bin Laden raid (announced after success on May 2, 2011, in a 9-minute solemn speech) with Hegseth “screaming into a microphone” about plans.
This is a false equivalence. Obama’s raid was a covert operation; details were kept secret until completion to avoid compromise. Hegseth’s statements, however, were about broad policy reforms—not specific ops. In speeches at Quantico (September 2025), he outlined firing “woke” generals, ending DEI initiatives, and restoring “warrior ethos,” criticizing “fat generals” and urging resignations from dissenters.
These were public announcements of intent, similar to how Trump detailed the al-Baghdadi raid post-fact (2019) in graphic terms, differing from Obama’s tone but not pre-revealing ops.
Hegseth faced criticism for leaking war plans in private chats (e.g., Yemen strikes), but those were post-nomination leaks, not public “screaming.”
On Trump’s DEI Criticism and “Unqualified DEI Hires”Trump has consistently opposed DEI, issuing an executive order on January 20, 2025, to end federal DEI programs, calling them “wasteful” and discriminatory.
His administration’s guidance warns against hiring tied to protected characteristics.
The post’s claim of “unqualified DEI hires” appears sarcastic, as nominees like Hegseth (white male veteran), McMahon (white female business exec), and RFK Jr. (white male lawyer) don’t fit traditional DEI profiles (diversity based on race/gender). Critics from progressive groups argue DEI bans enable discrimination, but Trump’s picks are defended as merit-based.
Unqualified? See bios below—opposition from unions/teachers (e.g., NEA against McMahon) stems from policy differences, not lack of credentials.
On the WWE Promoter (Linda McMahon) as Education SecretaryMcMahon, nominated November 19, 2024, and confirmed March 3, 2025, has a bachelor’s in French from East Carolina University (1969) and a teaching certificate.
She built WWE into a billion-dollar company as CEO and served as SBA Administrator (2017-2019), overseeing small business education/apprenticeships.
Her “thin” education background is criticized by unions, but supporters highlight her business acumen for reforming the department, which she called its “final mission” amid plans to dismantle it.
The “AI is steak sauce” claim stems from a April 2025 verbal gaffe where she said “A.1.” instead of “AI” during a panel on education tech—it was a slip-up, not confusion, and even critics noted she meant artificial intelligence.
On the Anti-Vaxxer (RFK Jr.) Who Swam in Sewage as HHS SecretaryRFK Jr., nominated November 14, 2024, and confirmed February 13, 2025, is an environmental lawyer (Fordham JD), author, and activist with decades fighting pollution (e.g., Hudson River cleanup).
He’s criticized as “anti-vax” for questioning vaccine safety (e.g., thimerosal/mercury), but he describes himself as “pro-vaccine safety,” not anti-vax, and faced Senate grilling but won support from figures like Chuck Grassley.
The “swam in sewage” refers to a May 2025 swim in Rock Creek (DC) with grandkids, a waterway with sewage overflow (billions of gallons annually per DC Water Authority), criticized as reckless.
However, RFK has a history of swimming polluted waters (e.g., Hudson) to highlight environmental issues, not literal sewage swimming for sport.
His HHS role focuses on “Make America Healthy Again,” with interim picks like Dorothy Fink (endocrinologist).
In closing I hope these FACTS make clear my position.
