Trump loyalist gets Defense post as Senate nomination stalls

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
August 3, 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are condemning President Donald Trump’s appointing of a staunch loyalist to a senior Pentagon job after it became clear that getting the retired general confirmed to a higher post would be difficult if not impossible.

Trump appointed retired Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to a job performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary for defense policy, amid ongoing furor over offensive remarks Tata made, including about Islam. Last week the Senate canceled a hearing on Tata’s nomination to become defense undersecretary for policy, the third-highest civilian post at the Pentagon.

Tata, who also has been a Fox News commentator, withdrew his name from consideration for the undersecretary job over the weekend, and was then appointed by Trump to serve in the deputy’s post.

According to media reports, Tata posted tweets in 2018 calling Islam the “most oppressive violent religion I know of,” and he called former President Barack Obama a “terrorist leader” and referred to him as Muslim. The tweets were later taken down.

“It’s hard to see how Gen. Tata can do an effective job given the serious questions raised by both parties during a closed executive session of the Armed Services Committee last week, and Gen. Tata’s many incorrect and divisive public commentary.” said Sen., Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking Democrat on the committee.

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