Heritage Foundation Backs Elbridge Colby for Key Defense Role Amid Controversy

FIRST ON FOX: An influential conservative organization, the Heritage Foundation, has officially endorsed Elbridge Colby’s nomination for a prominent position within the Defense Department.

The Heritage Foundation described Colby in a memo gained by Fox News Digital as “the most influential defense policy thinker in over twenty years”.

The memo articulated concerns about the historical use of the Department of Defense, stating, “For far too long, the United States has employed the Department of Defense – and the men and women of the U.S. military – to engage in activities that were not central to American interests.”

It continued, “From peacekeeping operations in far-flung theaters to nation-building among cultures riddled with ethno-sectarian and religious strife, and democracy building in regions with no tradition of the rule of law, the Department of Defense has expended resources and American lives on operations that rarely align with U.S. interests.”

The memo sheds light on the ongoing battle over Colby’s nomination as undersecretary of defense for policy, particularly among party members divided over his realist perspective.

Division Among Republicans

Supporters of former President Trump and their allies have been pressuring hesitant Republican lawmakers to back Colby’s nomination. His views, especially concerning Iran, have sparked significant debate.

Colby previously suggested the concept of coexisting with a nuclear-armed Iran may be more feasible than actively countering its nuclear capabilities. This stance has raised concerns for some senators, including Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who serves on the Armed Services Committee responsible for reviewing Coly’s nomination.

Support from Heritage Foundation

According to the Heritage Foundation, Colby represents “the single best person to implement President Trump’s and Secretary Hegseth’s policies within the Department of Defense”. They emphasize his potential to ensure that American lives and resources are utilized wisely against prioritized threats.

Currently, Alex Velez-Green holds the position of acting undersecretary of defense for policy. He was appointed by the administration while operating as a policy advisor for the Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense.

Voices in Favor of Colby

Vice President JD Vance showed his support for Colby, stating, “Bridge has consistently been correct about the significant foreign policy debates over the past two decades.”

Reflecting on Colby’s past, Vance noted, “He was critical of the Iraq War, which made him unemployable in the conservative movement during the 2000s. He developed ties with the Center for a New American Security when it was one of the few organizations willing to hire a foreign policy realist.”

Colby previously served at the Pentagon during Trump’s first term. He has long maintained that the U.S. should prioritize curtailing its involvement in the Middle East and emphasize the rising threat posed by China.

Concerns from Senate Leadership

Senator Roger Wicker, a Republican from Alabama and chairman of the Armed Services Committee, expressed that Colby’s nomination raises concerns for several senators.

Prior to his current nomination, Colby held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development during the first Trump administration. He also significantly contributed to the drafting of the 2018 U.S. National Security Strategy.

Contentions Surrounding the Nomination

On Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr. weighed in on Colby’s credentials in an op-ed, stating, “He begins with a focus on the tangible interests of the American people, rather than vague concepts like ‘the rules based international order’ or promoting democracy in the Middle East.”

Amidst the unfolding controversies, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk accused Senator Cotton over the weekend of working clandestinely against Colby’s nomination.

Kirk remarked, “Colby is one of the most critical elements to counter the Bush/Cheney influence at DOD,” urging followers to question Cotton’s actions. He posed the rhetorical question, “Why is Tom Cotton doing this?”

In a similar vein, Elon Musk echoed Kirk’s sentiments, questioning the opposition against Colby and speculating on the implications of his appointment.

Next Steps for Colby’s Nomination

Sources indicated that Senator Cotton plans to meet with Colby in the coming days to discuss the nomination before making his decision on how to vote.

Fox News’ Julia Johnson and Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.