For perspective on President-elect Trump's pick to be Secretary of Defense, we turn to James McPherson.

He served as Under-Secretary of the Army and as the Army's General Counsel during the Trump administration.

He also had a 25-year career in the Navy and served as that service's top lawyer in uniform.

Jim McPherson, thanks very much.

Welcome back to the NewsHour.

What is your reaction to the nomination of Pete Hexeth?

Thank you.

It's a pleasure to be with you.

Well, I think Mr. Hegespeth has an impressive record.

He went to prestigious schools.

He's a major in the Minnesota National Guard,

multiple deployments, combat deployments

that resulted in personal decorations.

I think he's well qualified to be a lieutenant colonel in the Minnesota National Guard.

Does that qualify him to be Secretary of Defense?

That's a question that the Senate is going to have to wrestle with during the confirmation,

and that your viewers are going to have to wrestle with when they judge the quality that they're receiving from the Trump administration.

Let me go.

I think there's two things that, yes sir.

Sorry, you continue.

I think there's, I would urge the Senate to look at two things with regard to his record.

First is competence. Does he have the record

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