President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced a contentious Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday as Democratic lawmakers grilled him over his past statements opposing women serving in military combat roles. The heated exchanges, punctuated by protests from the gallery, left Hegseth’s nomination on shaky ground.
Hegseth Backpedals Under Intense Questioning
Under intense questioning from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a longtime advocate for women’s equality in the military, Hegseth appeared to walk back his previous objections to women serving on the front lines.
“I have the utmost respect for all of those who serve, men and women,” Hegseth said, his voice strained. “My past comments were based on concerns over standards and readiness, not gender. I am fully committed to supporting our brave women in uniform.”
– Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary Nominee
But Gillibrand did not appear convinced, pressing Hegseth on whether he still held what she termed “anachronistic, discriminatory” views. Several other Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee echoed her skepticism.
Nomination Imperiled by Controversy
Hegseth’s nomination had already proved controversial due to his history of inflammatory statements and hardline policy stances. But his comments questioning the ability of women to serve in combat, made in a series of interviews and opinion pieces over the years, emerged as the biggest threat to his confirmation.
- 2015: Hegseth said putting women in combat “risks compromising standards in the name of political correctness.”
- 2018: He warned of “social engineering” in the military to accommodate women.
- 2021: Hegseth claimed women serving in combat roles would undermine “unit cohesion” and “combat effectiveness.”
Those statements came under withering criticism from senators, military leaders, and veterans groups, who argued that women have been serving capably and honorably in combat for decades.
“Women have more than proved their abilities on the battlefield since 9/11,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), an Iraq War veteran. “To suggest otherwise isn’t just wrong, it’s an insult to their service and sacrifice.”
– Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Hegseth Tries to Clarify Past Remarks
Under pressure, Hegseth sought to clarify that his past statements referred to concerns over physical fitness standards and potential impacts on readiness, not categorical opposition to women in combat.
“I believe that everyone, male or female, must meet the rigorous standards required for combat roles,” he said. “Where my comments missed the mark was in failing to account for the heroic performance of women who have already met those standards. That was an oversight on my part.”
But his attempts at damage control did little to appease Democrats, who remained visibly skeptical of his suitability to lead the Pentagon.
Republicans Offer Tepid Support
Even some Republicans on the committee, while voicing general support for Hegseth, seemed to keep him at arm’s length on the issue of women in combat.
“The nominee’s past remarks were poorly worded and do not reflect the current reality,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR). “But I trust that he will faithfully implement the policies set by Congress and military leaders with regard to servicewomen.”
– Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Hegseth, for his part, vowed to uphold existing laws and policies enabling women to serve in any role for which they meet objective standards. But the repeated confrontations over his record suggested a difficult path to confirmation.
Nomination Hangs in the Balance
The fate of Hegseth’s nomination remains uncertain after Tuesday’s heated testimony. While he retains the backing of President Trump and most Republicans, he may struggle to win over enough skeptical Democrats to secure confirmation in a narrowly divided Senate.
The controversy underscores the challenges facing an unconventional nominee with a history of provocative commentary, even as Hegseth has attempted to soften his image during the confirmation process.
For now, the nomination is left hanging in the balance as Hegseth’s record faces unprecedented scrutiny and his political future is cast into doubt. The coming days will determine if he can overcome the backlash and secure sufficient support, or if his path to the Pentagon has been irreparably blocked.
