CNN guests duel as fed-up strategist declares: 'You're just throwing anything out there'

Two opposing political strategists squared off on Friday night during an impassioned debate on CNN over Fox News weekend co-host Pete Hegseth and whether the nominee for secretary of defense.

Shermichael Singleton, a Republican strategist, dueled Jamal Simmons on "The Source" after defending President-elect Donald Trump, who earlier in the day expressed support for his embattled nominee.

"It looks like Pete is doing well now," Trump told "Meet the Press." "I mean, people were a little bit concerned. He's a young guy with a tremendous track record. Actually went to Princeton, he went to Harvard. He was a good student at both."

Since becoming the nominee, Hegseth has faced serious allegations and accusations, including sexual assault, alcohol abuse and missing organizational money.

Singleton also backed Hegseth, telling the panel, "I say give the guy an opportunity, see what his plans are to booster our military capabilities and increase our numbers, which are struggling right now, and let's go from there."

But his statement was met with immediate skepticism from Simmons, the Democratic strategist on the panel.

"What evidence do we have that he can do that?" asked Simmons, with a laugh. "Right? That's the problem for me, is what do you get for having Pete Hegseth in the defense secretary's office? So we know all the things that we have to manage. Right?"

Simmons noted Hegseth has been accused of having a drinking problem, mismanaging funds at his last organization and mistreating women.

At some point, what is the purpose of having him there? He's not a big thinker on military or national security," Simmons started.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Senate Dems consider whether Biden should ‘clear the slate’ and pardon Trump

"How do you know that?" Singleton shot back.

"Because we would know!" insisted Simmons, later adding that "mommy" has since had to come in and "save him" — a reference to Hegseth's mother defending him and making a direct plea to Trump to continue supporting Hegseth.

"I can't believe the manosphere feels good about having somebody's mom show up and help him get a job," said Simmons.

That's when Singleton laid into the "competent people" who have led the Pentagon, resulting in failed audits, declining military recruitment numbers and lagging progress in military technology compared to the country's biggest adversaries.

"Why haven't these competent people that you're saying Pete is not — does not fit that category — why have they not accomplished any of those things?" he asked.

Simmons noted that a key stance for Hegseth was to keep women out of combat roles, undermining Singleton's contention that Hegseth could improve military recruitment.

The two clashed later in the segment when Simmons suggested Hegseth could be "compromisable" to foreign governments.

"What are you basing that off of?" Singleton forcefully interjected.

When Simmons said they don't know if there's more out there that could come out about Hegseth, Singleton was in disbelief.

"Oh come on, Jamal. So now you're just throwing out anything out there into the ether and hoping it sticks to the wall. Where are you getting this from?"

As the two continued talking each over, anchor Kaitlan Collins butted in.

"Luckily — hang on — hang on — Shermichael — luckily this will all be solved because there's a background check by the FBI underway," she said.

Watch the clip below or at this link.