Tom Nichols, writing at The Atlantic:
What America and the world saw today was not a serious examination of a serious man. Instead, Republicans on the committee showed that they would rather elevate an unqualified and unfit nominee to a position of immense responsibility than cross Donald Trump, Elon Musk, or the most ardent Republican voters in their home states. America’s allies should be deeply concerned; America’s enemies, meanwhile, are almost certainly laughing in amazement at their unexpected good fortune.
What an embarrassment. It's going to be a long four years. Let's hope we can repair the damage when it's over.
The GOP Is No Longer the Party of National Security
America’s allies and enemies watched as Trump’s pick for defense secretary failed to quell concerns about his character and qualifications.