Tammy Duckworth Torches 'Unqualified' Singapore Ambassador Nominee: 'Do Some Homework!'

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) absolutely tore into President Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Singapore, scolding him as “unqualified” after he appeared unable to answer questions about the nation and its relationship with the U.S.

The questioning by Duckworth on Wednesday was contentious from the jump, as she grilled Dr. Anjani Sinha, a Florida orthopedic and sports injury surgeon, about tariffs, Singapore’s role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and its relationship with the U.S. Navy.

As he tried to field Duckworth’s questions, Sinha appeared uncomfortable, often stammering through his responses.

Shortly before Duckworth’s time expired, she’d had enough and accused Sinha of seeking a “glamour posting” to “live a nice life in Singapore.”

“What we need is someone who’s actually going to do the work,” Duckworth said. “But I want to reinforce again for you right now. You are not prepared for this posting, period, and you need to shape up and do some homework.”

Read some of the exchange here:

SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Let’s go on to the next thing. What year is Singapore next scheduled to be the ASEAN chair?

DR. ANJANI SINHA: This year is Malaysia.

DUCKWORTH: I didn’t ask you about this year. When is Singapore going to be the ASEAN chair.

SINHA: I don’t know when, but this year-

DUCKWORTH: 2027. Please describe what holding the ASEAN chair will entail for Singapore, and how you would support Singapore in your role as U.S. ambassador if confirmed. What are some of the critical things Singapore would have to do as a chair of ASEAN?

SINHA: I mean, I agree with you that you had made a statement that all the ASEAN members should be… uh… treated like a… almost like-

DUCKWORTH: No, answer my question. What does holding the ASEAN chairmanship entail for Singapore. Can you name one thing? A role that they would have to play as ASEAN chair?

SINHA: Well, there…uh… you know. This is a… uh.. ASEAN chair is not only one country but, uh… 10 countries involved-

DUCKWORTH: No, the ASEAN chair is one country.

SINHA: One country, but 10 countries involved as ASEAN-

DUCKWORTH: You’re not answering my question. You’re not answering my question, sir. Can you name one thing that will be of critical importance to Singapore as ASEAN chair? A role. There are many things. Can you name one thing?

SINHA: Defense, economics.

DUCKWORTH: Those are very broad. Name an issue.

SINHA: Trade.

DUCKWORTH: I don’t think, no. OK, let’s do something. In what way does the United States Navy work with Singapore, and how do you envision strengthening the U.S. Navy’s work with Singapore and are there any facilities that come to mind that are central to our relationship with Singapore?

ANJANI SINHA: We — thank you for your question — but we have a naval presence in Singapore. And we, our, our military, we always do exercise with the Singapore. They come here. The army of Singapore, they come here for the training as well. So we have a close ties with the Singapore and difference…

DUCKWORTH: Can you name a specific thing? Please, I’m trying to help you here, but you’ve not even done your homework, sir. You want to be ambassador to Singapore, one of the most important alliance- friends we have in the indopacificm a key place where we’re going to be fighting against our greatest adversary in the region, the PRC. Singapore may feature incredible culture, but that should not be treated as a glamour posting. This nation is too important to the United States, to ASEAN, to the entire region. And frankly I think the mission is important to U.S. interest and national security and should actually be a foreign service officer. But I have even larger concerns with a political pick when that political pick is as unqualified as you. I’ve opposed political picks for Singapore from Democrats. So this is not a partisan issue. I just feel that you are not taking this seriously, and you think this is a glamour posting that you’re going to live a nice life in Singapore. What we need is someone who’s actually going to do the work. I’m out of time. I have a couple additional questions related to management that I’ll submit for the record. But I want to reinforce again for you right now. You are not prepared for this posting, period, and you need to shape up and do some homework.

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