Former CIA director Michael Hayden has found himself in the middle of a terrible storm. Trouble began from comments he made about long-serving Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville.
Hayden seemed to call for the Senator’s assassination during a fierce response to the Senator’s views on Defense policy. Tuberville has called for an investigation and subsequent prosecution of the former spy chief.
It Started With a Debate Over Defense Abortion Policy
It all started with a disagreement concerning the defense policy on abortion. Unsurprisingly, Senator Tuberville, a Republican, was vehemently opposed to what he calls the Pentagon’s “illegal abortion policy.”
The policy allows taxpayers’ funds to be spent on abortions in the military. The move didn’t go down well with the Senator and, indeed, an overwhelming number of republican legislators who do not take kindly to abortion.
The Senator Had Pushed-Back Against the Department of Defense
Senator Tuberville and many of his republican colleagues viewed the policy as an abuse of the Pentagon’s powers. He also felt using taxpayers’ funds for private concerns was unfair.
The Alabama senator took a drastic step to force the Department of Defense to make a U-turn on the policy. He decided to withhold his consent for military nominations. This move has kept some crucial positions in the military unoccupied.
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Tuberville Believed He Was Exercising His Constitutional Oversight Responsibilities
While the Department of Defense understandably frowned at the Senator’s actions, the Senator wasn’t moved. He was confident he was using his constitution responsibly as a watchdog against executive overreach.
Former CIA boss Michael Hayden was infuriated by Senator Tubervilles antics. But his comments on the issue, which have now sparked widespread condemnation, could have used a little more constraint.
Hayden’s Comments Sounded Like a Call for Assassination
An X (formerly Twitter) user commented, expressing displeasure about Senator Tuberville’s legislative behavior. It read, “Should Tommy Tuberville be removed from his committee.” Hayden then responded to the post with, “How about the human race?”
Many people thought that the comments were disappointing to have come from a former four-star military general. Hayden is an Air Force veteran who had also led the NSA.
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Senator Tuberville Raised Alarm Over the Comments
Senator Tuberville’s office swiftly responded to the comments by releasing a statement. “This morning my office was made aware of a statement made by General Michael Hayden calling for a politically motivated assassination,” it read.
Hayden’s comment also provoked public outrage. Many agreed with the Senator’s view that the statements could incite violence against the politician.
The Senator Believed That General Hayden Had Committed a Crime
In his statement, the Senator declared that General Hayden’s comments were “disgusting” and “repugnant to everything we believe in as Americans.”
He further stated that Hayden had committed a previous crime for which he should face the consequences.
“Given General Hayden’s long career in Washington, he must have known that, by making such a statement, he was committing a serious crime,” read a section of his statement.
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Hayden Tried to Explain His Controversial Utterance
General Hayden later stepped up to explain his comments. He clarified that he wasn’t speaking literally when he used the word “removed.” He also expressed surprise with the number of people who believed he did.
He explained that he meant that Tuberville should lose his recognition as a member of the human race and not that the Senator be eliminated.
Hayden Took a Swipe at Donald Trump Supporters
Hayden stated that he stood by his views regarding the Alabama senator. He described his detractors as MagaNuts, apparently referring to the supporters of President Donald Trump.
Hayden, also a National Security Analyst at CNN, ended his defense with more scathing remarks about the Senator. “I’m wishing you all a nice day, even the intransigent Tommy Tuberville.”
Senator Tuberville’s Office Took the Matter to the Capitol Police
The Senator reported the case to the Capitol Police, urging a thorough investigation and prosecution. He took the former CIA boss’ explanation with a pinch of salt and described it as a “tacit admission of guilt.”
“If we still have a nonpolitical justice system in this country, then General Hayden will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the Senator continued.
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A Spotlight on the Integrity of America’s Justice System
In his statement, Senator Tuberville echoed the growing distrust in America’s justice system. Many Americans, mainly on the republican side, believe that the judiciary and law enforcement have been hijacked and compromised.
The biggest example being cited is the difference in zeal in the prosecution of the January 6th Capitol invaders as against the looting and destruction carried out during the George Floyd protests. Many Americans believe there is a worrying imbalance in the dispense of justice.
Some Notable Comments About Hayden’s Statement
As the saga ensued, some notable voices waded into the issue. Unique among which was the Daily Wire’s Gregg Re, who chastised Hayden, calling him a “torture enthusiast and left-wing hero.”
Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief of the Federalists, also chastised the retired general. Hemingway described Hayden as a “renowned civil liberties violator, [who] promoted the Biden laptop coverup and the Russia Collusion scam.”
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