GOP senator rebuked by Fox News reporter for 'insulting' comments on Marines

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) drew a rebuke from Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin on Friday over comments he made earlier in the week comparing the duties of a Marine Commandant to his past duties as a college football coach.

The comments in question came when Tuberville was asked about the fact that his hold on all military promotions forced Marine Commandant Eric Smith, who was hospitalized earlier this week after suffering a heart attack, to work 18-hour days.

"The Marine Corps commandant’s probably got 2,000 people who work for him, okay? Somebody said he’s working 18 hours a day... Come on, give me a break. This guy’s gonna work 18-20 hours a day no matter what... I did that for years [as a football coach at Auburn University and other colleges], because you got to do get the job done."

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This was too much for the normally straight-laced Griffin, who whacked Tuberville in a post on Twitter.

"Tuberville is dismissive of Marine Commandant’s heart attack when told Gen Eric Smith had to do two jobs, work 18 [hour] days due to Tuberville military holds," she wrote. "Says Marine Commandant job no different than his was as coach, insulting Marines who make life and death decisions everyday."

Tuberville's hold on military promotions, which is being done to protest the Pentagon's abortion health care policy, has drawn the ire of many of his fellow Republicans who are now reportedly scheming with Senate Democrats to break the blockade.