PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Joining KYW's Michelle Durham live from Capitol Hill, as he does each week, CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane discusses the potential appointment of Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, as the ambassador to Greece, highlighting her connections to Fox News and the Trump administration.
He also addresses the confirmation process for Pete Hegseth, noting that despite allegations of alcohol abuse and a 2017 sexual misconduct investigation, his prospects are improving due to support from senators like Joni Ernst of Iowa. Additionally, MacFarlane touches on Secretary of State Blinken's testimony regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal from 2011 2021, with both parties blaming each other for the situation.
Michelle Durham: Scott, amid the questions about Kimberly Guilfoyle's engagement to Donald Trump Jr., President-elect Donald Trump selects her to be the next ambassador to Greece.
Scott MacFalrlane: There's an awful lot of connections between Fox News and this would-be Trump cabinet and would-be Trump administration. Kimberly Guilfoyle, in addition to having a prior relationship with Donald Trump Jr., was also a Fox News figure. And you can just add her to the list of people who have tethers to Fox News who are now being placed into prominent positions.
The would-be transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, Fox News host — and he goes down the line. There is this familiarity Republican senators, who have to confirm these nominees, have with these figures. They are Fox News viewers, among other things, Michelle.
Durham: And speaking of which, Pete Hegseth continues that somewhat rocky road to confirmation.
MacFarlane: His prospects seem to be bolstered. And we say that because Republican senators say his prospects seem to be bolstered. He was being dogged last week by these accusations he abuses alcohol and had a sexual misconduct investigation in 2017 — allegations, he has unequivocally denied there were backup options being floated last week, which is never a good sign for the choice of the administration.
But one of the pivotal senators in all this is Iowa Republican Joni Ernst, a former service member. She has unique heft on military issues. She issued a somewhat supportive statement earlier this week, indicating there's a better trajectory for Pete Hegseth. But, Michelle, these confirmation hearings are still a month off, and Democrats pledge there will be high stakes and high drama to this.
Durham: And Secretary of State Antony Blinken, testifying about Syria and Afghanistan.
MacFarlane: Yeah, there are questions about the Afghanistan withdrawal from 2021. Secretary Blinken has been pressed hard by House Republicans to come testify here. He had defied them at first, but showed up today — and it's both parties blaming the other for that fatal withdrawal in August 2021, Republicans saying the Biden administration mismanaged it; Blinken and Democrats making the argument that then-President Trump put artificial deadlines in place, which set up Afghanistan for failure.
This will be an issue that will recur. As long as the Biden administration is here, they will continue to take criticisms over this, but in about 40 days, that criticism likely ends as president elect Trump takes the oath.
Durham: And, of course, your thoughts on Sunday's Eagles game.
MacFarlane: Yeah, I mean, when you play the Steelers, got a lot of animosity among people close to the McFarland family on this one. But winning streaks aren't going to be inevitable. There's going to be a hurdle, and this looks like the hurdle, the face tough defense, tough quarterback in Pittsburgh, and the prospects are dimmer than they were the last few weeks.