Damnit. Couldn't she have just let it be? Now he had to defend the Minister's decision in front of everyone or else face getting on the wrong side of the new administration. That, he was fairly sure, would be an unwise decision and would leave his men without a buffer, which he was unwilling to do.
"I believe Minister Thicknesse chose him because of his years of service to the Ministry, Auror Tonks," he said, his voice firm, though part of him was dying at having to justify a decision he didn't agree with in the least. It wasn't that he didn't trust his men, but he'd trusted Rufus and now he'd disappeared. It was too chancy to come out and say what he really thought. "He's been with the Ministry for decades, and the new Minister is confident in his abilities."
Sighing, he shook his head. "I realize the Minister's resignation and the upheaval it's caused is quite a shock to you all. Admittedly, it was to me as well - but I think we need to look at it with cooler, calmer heads before jumping to any conclusions about someone's abilities to lead a large, important department like the MLE." He looked at Tonks, willing her to just be quiet. For all he knew, Yaxley was listening right now and he didn't want one of his men in trouble.