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Sen. Duckworth Challenges Pete Hegseth’s Views on Women in Combat
On a recent episode of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed strong opposition to Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, regarding his stance on women serving in combat roles within the military. Duckworth emphasized, “Our military could not go to war without the women who wear this uniform,” asserting that women have proven their ability to defend the nation just as effectively as their male counterparts.
Hegseth, a former Fox News commentator and Army veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, has faced scrutiny not only for his views on women in the military but also for his qualifications for leading the Defense Department. Duckworth highlighted that female service members have demonstrated their competency by meeting the same rigorous standards applied to men, criticizing Hegseth’s opinions as reflecting a lack of understanding about the current state of the military.
Referencing her own experience as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot deployed in Iraq, Duckworth pointed out that over 220,000 women serve in the military, noting that their inclusion enhances operational effectiveness. She declared, “Having women in the military does make us more effective, does make us more lethal.”
In addition to his controversial stance on women in combat, Hegseth’s nomination has come under fire due to resurfaced allegations stemming from a 2017 incident involving claims of sexual assault. Although Hegseth denied the allegations, he acknowledged paying a confidential settlement to the woman involved, citing concerns about potential harm to his career. Duckworth characterized the nomination as “really troubling,” highlighting that the nomination of an individual who has admitted to settling an allegation of this nature raises significant concerns for leadership within the Department of Defense.
As discussions unfold about Trump’s recent appointments, including the withdrawal of former Rep. Matt Gaetz from consideration for attorney general amidst ethics scrutiny, Duckworth expressed concern that Senate Republicans may overlook critical evaluations of Trump’s nominees. “From what I’m hearing,” she noted, “it sounds like they are ready to roll over for Mr. Trump,” while also affirming her commitment to assess each nominee based on their qualifications and priorities.
A CBS News poll released recently indicates mixed public perception of Hegseth’s nomination, with 33% of Americans perceiving him as a “good choice” for defense secretary, while 39% admitted they hadn’t heard enough about him yet. The poll reflected a broader sentiment among Americans who prefer candidates with substantial experience relevant to their roles. In contrast, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul articulated support for Hegseth, suggesting that merit-based selection should guide leadership appointments, highlighting criticisms from Hegseth regarding perceived biases in Pentagon hiring practices.
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