Senator Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) challenged former senator Chuck Hagel (R., Neb.) over his controversial remarks about the pro-Israel lobby.
In a 2008 interview, Hagel said “the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people” into doing some “dumb things.” He has since expressed “regret” for not using “more appropriate” language.
Graham asked Hagel to name one person who had been intimidated by the pro-Israel lobby, but the former Senator could not. “I don’t know,” he said. Graham then asked the prospective defense secretary to name a “dumb thing” the federal government has done as a result of such intimidation or influence. Hagel said he could not think of an example.