Representative Susie Lee, a Democrat representing Nevada's competitive 3rd Congressional District, has publicly positioned herself as an advocate for bipartisan cooperation. However, during a recent appearance before a liberal group, she expressed a desire to "work across the aisle" just moments before recounting how observing Pete Hegseth's testimony inspired her to "beat the s--- out of him."
These statements were made during a gathering of the Sun City Liberal Club in Las Vegas last month. The congresswoman was discussing the topic of rare earth minerals and her efforts to support MP Materials, a company based in Las Vegas that plays a role in the domestic production of critical minerals. Her comments emerge as she campaigns for re-election in a congressional district known for its tight electoral contests.
Contradictory Comments on Bipartisanship
According to video footage of the event, Rep. Lee stated to the attendees, "I want to be bipartisan. I want to work across the aisle." Yet, shortly thereafter, while describing Hegseth's appearance before a committee she serves on, she remarked, "Now listen, it’s so easy. It’s so easy. Like you just wanna beat the s--- out of him." She then added, regarding her strong feelings towards Hegseth, "But you got to bite it."
The remarks about Hegseth were delivered as Lee introduced an anecdote to the Sun City Liberal Club. She recounted a hearing where she pressed a high-ranking official, whom she referred to as the "Secretary of War," regarding a Pentagon decision. This decision involved investing in an Australian firm, which she implied sidelined a domestic U.S. company. Lee explained that she engaged Hegseth by emphasizing her commitment to "made in America" principles and challenged the Pentagon's heavier investment in an Australian entity over the American-based MP Materials.
Reflecting on the situation concerning rare earth investments, Lee reiterated, "Now listen, it’s so easy. It’s so easy. Like you just wanna beat the s--- out of him. I mean yea, but you just got to bite it. So this is what I did – he came in front of my committee twice." She further elaborated on her strategy, saying, "You got to lay on their ego, right?" She then claimed, "Well, three weeks later, they announced a $2 billion investment in MP Materials, okay? I didn’t want to be sweet with Hegseth, okay, I didn’t. But, you know, you got to do what you got to do to get s--- done, right?"
Republican Criticism and Allegations
The congresswoman's comments have drawn criticism from Republican circles, who view them as contradictory to her public image as a bipartisan lawmaker. They suggest the remarks reveal a different attitude when discussing figures associated with the previous presidential administration in less public settings.
Mark Bednar, who previously served as the head of communications for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, commented on the situation, stating, "It's unfortunate for our Republic, near our 250th birthday of this great experiment we call America, that town hall comments like this reveal the truth, and Republican voters should be warned that Democrats, if they take over the majority, will simply spend their time going after President Trump and his administration."
Beyond the aggressive language, Republicans also challenged Rep. Lee's assertion that her interaction with Hegseth played a pivotal role in securing a significant Defense Department investment for MP Materials. They accused the Nevada Democrat of exaggerating her influence and leveraging the narrative to enhance her reputation for working across the political divide.
Nick Poché, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, strongly criticized her claims, stating, "Either Susie Lee believes her words contain the persuasive power of the word of God, or she's making stuff up and being completely unhinged to boot." He added, "Nevadans deserve a leader who will work to deliver for them, not posers whose only objective in office is to improve their stock portfolios like Susie Lee."
Ultimately, MP Materials did secure a substantial agreement with the Defense Department. This included a $400 million investment from the Pentagon, which resulted in the federal government becoming the company's largest shareholder, alongside other commitments designed to bolster the United States' supply chain for rare earth magnets.