On Tuesday, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a wounded Iraq War veteran, and other female members of the Senate Armed Services Committee challenged Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, during his confirmation hearing. They criticized Hegseth for his past opposition to women serving in combat roles and questioned his qualifications for the role.
Hegseth, nominated to oversee the Defense Department and its 3 million employees, faced accusations of alcohol abuse, infidelity, and misconduct. Duckworth, who lost her legs during her military service, made it clear she believed Hegseth was unfit for the position.
“You’re not qualified, Mr. Hegseth,” Duckworth stated. “The American people need a Secretary of Defense ready to lead on day one, and you are not that person.”
Although no Democrats on the panel supported Hegseth, Republican members backed his nomination. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a 23-year Army National Guard veteran, initially expressed concerns but later said her discussions with Hegseth addressed her issues. Ernst emphasized that women serving in combat roles must meet high standards and asked if Hegseth would uphold this policy.
Hegseth responded, “Yes, women will have access to ground combat roles, given the standards remain high.”
However, the Democratic women on the committee pressed him about his apparent reversal on women in combat. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) sarcastically noted his “eleventh-hour conversion,” while Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned how his long-held views suddenly changed after being nominated.
Duckworth used her time to refocus the hearing on Hegseth’s qualifications. She criticized the nomination process, stating, “This hearing now seems to be about whether women are qualified for combat, not whether you are qualified to be Secretary of Defense.”
Behind Duckworth was a framed copy of the “Soldier’s Creed,” symbolizing military values, which she keeps in her office. She emphasized that lowering standards shouldn’t be about gender but about the qualifications of the nominee.
“Our adversaries are watching closely,” Duckworth concluded. “A Defense Department led by someone unprepared for the job puts America at risk, and I won’t support that.”
Despite the heated exchanges, Republican committee members, including Ernst, signaled their intent to confirm Hegseth’s nomination, which is expected to advance to the Senate floor.
