Show-Me State Times

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) defended the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Policy and expressed support for President Trump’s America First foreign policy approach. Schmitt addressed criticisms aimed at the administration’s shift toward a realism-based strategy and questioned Alexander Velez-Green, nominee for Deputy Under Secretary of War for Policy, about recent allegations concerning the department's policy office.

“Mr. Chairman, let me just say, from the outset, […] I’ve watched the evolution of some of the criticism [against] this administration and particular actors, and I think much of the criticism — which is cloaked in terms of transparency and communication — really is just an effort to undermine a shift in our foreign policy orientation, which I support, to realism, as opposed to some of the failed points of view that have dominated permanent Washington over the last thirty years. That’s how I see it. Now people can disagree. That’s how I see it,” Schmitt said during his opening remarks.

Schmitt rejected claims that Under Secretary Elbridge Colby and his team were acting independently or undermining White House objectives. He stated: “So, the point of my questions, Mr. Velez-Green, that I want to ask you — in recent months, there has been speculation and criticism aimed at Under Secretary of War [Elbridge] Colby and his team — much of it anonymous, misleading, and divorced from reality. Some have suggested that the policy office [at the Department of War] is freelancing or undermining the President’s agenda. Nothing could be further from the truth. These attacks don’t reflect a policy dispute as much as a resistance from those invested in maintaining a foreign policy status quo that has repeatedly failed the American people. I think it’s important to set the record straight. The job of the policy arm of the Pentagon is to provide informed recommendations to the decision makers in the chain of command — President Trump and Secretary Hegseth. In no way are they undermining the President, the Secretary or the administration’s defense policy objectives. On the contrary, these are professionals who translate the President’s directives into cohesive strategies and generate the forces to achieve them. You’ve been in this business for a while; I want to give you an opportunity to speak for yourself. But there’s been much about these tired tropes about isolationism, which is a joke […] What [the administration is doing] is refocusing on the homeland and the Indo Pacific. Do you think we should abandon NATO? What about Europe? Do you think we should abandon Europe?”

Velez-Green responded: “No, Senator. In the strongest possible terms.”

Schmitt continued by discussing European defense spending: “Okay. I think part of discussion is — instead just flowery rhetorical verses that have been spun for a while — Europe does need step up more their own defense... This conversation about burden sharing — people laughed at President Trump about this [in his first term] — but it’s actually happening... Mr. Velez-Green...you’re not making grand foreign policy pronouncements...you’re working hard to ask tough questions necessary lead this [American realist] strategy moving forward.... We’ve even they’ve even claimed that you oppose sending carrier Middle East Operation Midnight Hammer Would like say anything about these particular accusations?”

Velez-Green replied: “Senator, I would just offer that reporting on each those episodes was inaccurate... For instance article with respect Under Secretary’s alleged position about forces support Operation Midnight Hammer was opposite reality...reporting that policy ordered or even recommended pause shipments weapons Ukraine was inaccurate without any caveats.... There’s paper trails most this Not conjecture.”

Schmitt also addressed concerns regarding focus on domestic versus international priorities: “The last question in time they have remaining — I’ve heard consternation from someone on other side dais focusing homeland sort taboo topic unimaginable Somehow our focus homeland precludes us focusing Indo-Pacific Would like address this false claim?”

Velez Green responded: “Senator we’ve been directed do both exactly what we are doing force management perspective ...there not belief do these things we have abandon rest world ...we do need stay engaged very important critical ways Europe Middle East alongside allies partners who stepping up ...how can achieve enduring peace through strength.”

The hearing concluded with Schmitt thanking both Velez-Green and committee leadership.