Democrats have long earned a reputation for hypocrisy, but sometimes it reaches dizzying heights. Take the latest episode: suddenly, the party that treats deficits like speed bumps is all worked up over costs.
Case in point: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has quietly summoned every general and flag officer in command — along with their senior enlisted advisors — to a highly secretive “call to the colors.” No one outside the room knows exactly what will be announced or decided, and that’s intentional.
President Trump has said he’ll attend, which instantly raises the stakes. This is no routine briefing. And here’s the deliciously absurd part: as the military brass gather and the White House prepares its next move, at least one prominent Democrat discovers a newfound concern for taxpayer dollars.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., has sent a letter to the Pentagon demanding details on the cost of flying in officers on such short notice — and whether virtual alternatives were considered. She calculates that the total headcount, including aides and senior NCOs, could top 1,000 at Quantico. Duckworth also asks which accounts will cover the expense, if return travel could be disrupted by a potential government shutdown, and whether a cost-benefit analysis was done before deciding on an in-person gathering.
Wait — seriously? Tammy Duckworth, suddenly clutching her pearls over the cost of a military meeting? The same senator who earns an F from the National Taxpayers Union, ranking 93rd out of 100 with a paltry 12% score since taking office? Give me a break.
The political theater writes itself: generals assemble, the commander-in-chief shows up, and Duckworth miraculously discovers a conscience about spending. Cue the hypocrisy chorus.
Before she starts playing fiscal watchdog, here’s a simple question: how much military hardware did the Biden administration leave behind in Afghanistan — billions of dollars worth, handed straight to the Taliban? Put that number on the table first, then we can talk about who’s really worried about taxpayer money.
