WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The start to hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees kicked off on Tuesday with Pete Hegseth who is hoping to become the next secretary of defense.
Hegseth was grilled by several senators throughout Tuesday’s confirmation hearing over previous comments he made that women should not serve in combat. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Hegseth over comments she says he has been making since 2013.
“For 12 years you were quite open about your views, and your views were consistently the same: women are inferior soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and guardians,” Sen. Warren said. “Then on Nov. 9, 2024, just 32 days after your last public comments saying that women absolutely should not be in combat, you declare that ‘some of our greatest warriors are women.’”
Warren questioned Hegseth over what she called a “very big about face in a short period of time.”
“I very much appreciate you bringing up my comments from 2013, because for me, this issue has always been about standards,” Hegseth said.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) also questioned Hegseth about whether or not he would support women in combat roles.
Hegseth, who is a former combat veteran and TV host, told Sen. Ernst he would support women continuing to have the opportunity to serve in combat roles if he was confirmed.
“Yes, women will have access to ground combat roles, given the standards remain high and we’ll have a review to ensure the standards have not been eroded,” Hegseth said.
Sen. Gillibrand told Hegseth that his comments about women are harmful to morale.
“You will have to change how you see women to do this job well, and I don’t know if you’re capable of that,” she said.
Hegseth was also questioned over allegations of misconduct, including accusations of drinking on the job and sexual assault. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel
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