https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2012/12/19/chuck-hagel-is-not-the-right-choice-for-defense-secretary/feed/HotAir is the leading conservative blog for breaking news and commentary covering the Biden administration, politics, media, culture, and current elections.en-usTue, 09 Jun 2026 08:19:52 -0400<![CDATA[The current secretary, Leon Panetta, has said the defense “sequester” cuts that Congress mandated to take effect Jan. 1 would have dire consequences for U.S. security. Mr. Hagel took a very different position when asked about Mr. Panetta’s comment during a September 2011 interview with the Financial Times. “The Defense Department, I think in many ways, has been bloated,” he responded. “So I think the Pentagon needs to be pared down.” &#8230;]]>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:15:17 -0500<![CDATA[Erika Johnsen]]>https://hotair.com/headlines/2012/12/19/chuck-hagel-is-not-the-right-choice-for-defense-secretary-n98406