President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has moved to clarify earlier remarks regarding women in combat roles, emphasizing his support for female service members as "exceptional warriors." Speaking on Fox News, Hegseth addressed concerns arising from previous statements questioning the suitability of women for combat positions. He underscored his admiration for women serving in the military, highlighting their dedication and significant contributions to national defense.
Hegseth stated that should he be confirmed, he would be "a secretary for all warriors, both men and women." This week, he will be engaging with senators on Capitol Hill, aiming to garner the necessary 50 votes for confirmation.
The controversy stems from comments made on the Shawn Ryan podcast in early November, where Hegseth expressed his belief that women should not be in combat roles, arguing that it complicates operations and reduces effectiveness. He referred to a 2015 Marine Corps study suggesting integrated units performed less effectively than all-male units.
Hegseth also criticized military leadership for seemingly prioritizing diversity quotas over combat readiness, suggesting that standards have been lowered to accommodate women in combat positions. He acknowledged the contributions of women in the military while maintaining his position that inherent physiological differences between men and women impact combat effectiveness. He argued that while he supports qualified women serving, maintaining existing standards is paramount.
