Staff Reports
In a recent spectacle that few will forget anytime soon, Senator John Kennedy turned what should have been a serious Senate hearing into a political roast when he faced off against retired Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner. The two were there to discuss mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens, but Kennedy seized the opportunity to pull back the curtain on Manner’s glaring anti-Trump biases.
Manner attempted to earn some points in his opening remarks by boasting about his impressive military credentials accumulated over 35 years, including an impressive stint as Deputy Commanding General of the Third Army. He praised the military as an institution that has allegedly retained its glow, despite the unfortunate attempts to politicize it under Joe Biden’s administration. While Manner attempted to paint a benevolent picture of diversity and unity within the ranks, Kennedy had different ideas for the afternoon’s entertainment.
“YOU THINK YOU’RE SMARTER THAN MOST PEOPLE DON’T YOU?”@SenJohnKennedy to Maj. General Manner on calling President Trump and his supporters "fascists."🔥@Rusty_Weiss
pic.twitter.com/DcM9pICffI— NanLee Marie Carissimi (@NanLee1124) December 12, 2024
When Manner expressed exaggerated concerns about Trump’s plans for military involvement in deportations, Kennedy wasted no time in cutting through the general’s fluff. He pressed Manner about comments he made on CNN, where he denounced Trump as a “total fascist.” Kennedy didn’t just ask for clarification; he needed Manner to admit he was speaking from a place of raw bias rather than any grounded military principle. Manner squirmed under Kennedy’s relentless questioning, ultimately conceding that he had indeed called Trump a fascist.
With Manner flailing under pressure, Kennedy, in true Kennedy fashion, made sure to hammer home the hypocrisy of Manner’s seemingly lofty values of “duty, honor, and respect.” It was a classic case of “you can’t have it both ways,” as Kennedy showcased how Manner’s own words didn’t align with the integrity he professed to uphold. When Kennedy asked if Manner considered himself smarter and more virtuous than the American people, the general’s overstayed welcome was made painfully clear.
The exchange quickly escalated from mere questioning to something resembling a masterclass in political smackdown. Kennedy not only highlighted Manner’s error in judgment, but he masterfully exposed the elitist mindset characterized by a disdain for everyday Americans who simply supported Trump. By challenging Manner to reconcile his disdainful comments with the underlying military values he once claimed to cherish, Kennedy left the retired general caught in an inescapable web of his own making.
After five minutes of fierce back-and-forth, it became painfully obvious who had the upper hand. In an environment that too often overlooks accountability, Kennedy’s confrontation underscored a vital truth: anti-Trump vitriol does not equate to moral superiority. Instead, it revealed the dangerously elitist mentality that seeks to undermine not just a former president, but the very citizens who put him in power. It was a moment reminiscent of political showdowns of the past, ensuring that this Senate hearing will be remembered as a comedic yet serious reminder that the moral high ground is often held by those willing to stand up to hypocrisy.
