Senator James Lankford (R-OK) didn’t hold back during a recent appearance on Fox News, calling out the mainstream media for their presumptions about Capitol Hill happenings.
Lankford’s critique came in the context of speculation surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, a decorated Army veteran, and rumors that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis might replace him. The senator argued that the media’s so-called "insider scoops" often miss the mark when it comes to the real dynamics behind the scenes.
Lankford explained that while legacy media outlets like CNN and MSNBC pontificate about nominees and political maneuvering, it’s the people working directly on Capitol Hill who truly understand the process.
“What’s interesting is the national media, the CNN, MSNBC, all those, CBS, all talk about people as if they’ve met them,” he said. “All of us get the privilege of actually getting a chance to be able to meet them.”
Sen. @jameslankford: "What's interesting is the national media, the CNN, MSNBC, CBS, all talk about people as if they've met them. All of us get the privilege of actually getting a chance to be able to meet them... So there's all the noise out there and then there's actually… pic.twitter.com/XnpCc7MqdJ
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 4, 2024
The Oklahoma senator emphasized that despite the swirling noise from media outlets, the real work involves face-to-face meetings and hearings with nominees—a process most journalists aren’t privy to. Lankford himself planned to meet with several nominees that day, highlighting the thorough vetting that occurs behind closed doors.
Lankford urged patience, reminding both the public and the press that the Constitution provides a deliberate process for evaluating and approving presidential appointees. He pointed out that every president has the right to select their team, while the Senate plays its constitutional role in advising and consenting on key nominations.
“Let’s get past the media noise and let’s actually do the constitutional process,” Lankford said, advocating for a focus on substance rather than speculation.
He underscored the importance of allowing President Trump to build his administration, saying, “Let’s actually support the president in who he’s actually trying to be able to pick to put next to him to be able to actually turn the country around.”