Joe Kernen Confronts Chris Coons on Hypocrisy Over Hegseth Resignation Calls

In a heated exchange on CNBC's 'Squawk Box,' host Joe Kernen confronted Democrat Senator Chris Coons over his calls for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth related to the Signal group chat controversy. Kernen highlighted Coons' hypocrisy, questioning why he did not demand the resignation of former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after the Afghanistan withdrawal, which resulted in the deaths of 13 service members and the loss of $70 billion in military equipment. Coons defended his position by distinguishing between Hegseth's alleged misuse of an unsecured platform for sensitive information and Austin's health-related absence from the White House. Kernen countered that the Democrats were focusing on a minor issue while ignoring more significant failures under their watch. Prominent GOP figures, including Scott Jennings, echoed this sentiment, admonishing Democrats for their double standards regarding accountability. This ongoing debate reflects broader tensions within U.S. politics surrounding leadership and accountability in national security matters.