You know, perhaps the most damning comment about Pete Hegseth came for Pete Hegzeth himself

when he was explaining what the military needs in its leadership.

The DEI policies of today are not putting meritocracy first.

Every single senior officer will be reviewed based on meritocracy.

Getting anything that doesn't contribute to meritocracy out of how decisions are made inside the Pentagon, ensuring readiness and meritocracy is front and center.

Meritocracy, meritocracy, meritocracy.

Oh, I know what his next kid's going to be named. You heard him, though.

You heard him, folks. A military cannot function unless it's staffed by a system based on pure merit,

where only the most qualified people rise to the top. So says your next secretary of defense,

who will run the most complicated, powerful, deadly

organization the world has ever known, and whose only qualification is that Trump liked watching

him sit on a couch on Saturday mornings.

That is The Daily Show, reacting to Pete Higgs-thous contentionous confirmation hearing yesterday.

We're going to go over the important exchanges

as Democratic senators grilled Donald Trump's defense secretary pick over his character,

views on women in combat, and whether he is fit to actually lead the military. Plus,

we're following more confirmations on Capitol Hill as some big-name

Republicans face more scrutiny from lawmakers this morning. We're going to tell you who they are.

Also ahead, President Biden is capping off a five-decade career in politics as he is set to deliver

his farewell address to the nation tonight just days before Donald Trump is sworn in.

Good morning. And welcome to Morning, Joe. It is Wednesday, January 15th, along with Joe, Willie and me.

We have MSNBC contributor Mike Barnacle, the co-host of our fourth hour, Jonathan Lemire.

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