INSIDE THE CONFIRMATION HEARING OF DEPUTY DEFENSE SEC NOMINEE STEPHEN FEINBERG
What does Stephen Feinberg, a noted businessman, know about running a military? Soon enough, we may all find out. Nominated for one of the highest civilian positions in The Pentagon, Feinberg is a noted Trump supporter, has operated within our government before, and is leveraging his business success to streamline how our military operates.
Donald Trump Nominates Billionaire Stephen Feinberg as Deputy Defense Secretary
Then President-elect Donald Trump nominated billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg as our nation's Deputy Secretary of Defense leading up to his second term in office.
Feinberg, Co-CEO of Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm with investments in defense contractors, previously served on an intelligence advisory board during Trump's first term.
Why Feinberg Makes Sense
Having people on his cabinet has been a top priority for President Trump following a first term in which he felt things could have been more cohesive.
Feinberg has deep ties to the Republican Party along with specific support for the Trump administration.
This is evident in the donations Feinberg has made to Trump’s presidential campaign over the years.
However, the $2.2 million+ in donations is just part of why his presence makes sense for Trump.
The billionaire served in political roles during Trump’s first term, involving intelligence and financial policies that influenced the country at a high level.
President's Intelligence Advisory Board
In 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Stephen Feinberg to lead the President's Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB), which advises the Executive Office on intelligence quality, counterintelligence, and oversight.
Through its Intelligence Oversight Board, the PIAB also ensures the legality of foreign intelligence activities.
Dealing with intel and financial decisions that shape domestic and international policies are perfect examples of the level of trust Feinberg maintains within the Trump administration.
Stephen Feinberg’s Confirmation Hearing
We’re still watching Trump’s cabinet unfold and yet another billionaire is tied to its formation.
If confirmed, Stephen Feinberg would hold the second-highest civilian position in The Pentagon during a time of uncertainty and change for the American Armed Forces.
Feinberg faced harsh criticism from Democrats while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing.
Federal layoffs, cutting costs, and policy changes against “woke ideology” are major talking points involving the state of our current military.
All of this while the military faces conflict in Europe, rising tensions in the Pacific, a war in the Middle East, and a government creating more tension with our allies.
Simply put, there’s a lot to do and Feinberg would need to navigate the politics spreading throughout a theoretically apolitical entity all as national security threats present themselves.
While Feinberg is leaning on his abilities as a businessman to help the military shape up its organization, critics point to his lack of firm details involving saving money, inability to accurately characterize the war in Europe, and willingness to mischaracterize current actions by Trump’s administration.
One glaring example was Feinberg’s description of cuts through the proposal to fire 5,400 civilians. While he insisted retirements or people who wanted to quit would account for most of these positions, currently, probationary employees are on the chopping block—many of whom are Veterans.
"I believe that every person is significant and these cuts are always hard. In these kinds of reorganizations, there's always turnover, and, without some turnover, you can't become an efficient organization," said Feinberg.
Regardless, it should come as no surprise that Feinberg maintains strong support from many Republicans and his confirmation is likely.
Speaking in the hearing, Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said, "I think we've seen a display of super competence and intelligence and capability today, and I feel very, very good about the role that you will fill."
If confirmed, Stephen Feinberg is joining the likes of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, John Phelan, who is nominated for Navy Secretary, Elon Musk, and the President himself as fellow billionaires with notable roles influencing the military community.
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