Donald Trump’s controversial pick to lead the Pentagon, Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, is facing backlash from senators over his attempts to backtrack on past statements opposing women in combat roles. Just weeks before being nominated as Secretary of Defense, Hegseth had unequivocally stated, “We should not have women in combat roles.” Now, under scrutiny, he is characterizing women as “some of our greatest warriors.”
The reversal has not been well-received by some lawmakers, especially given Hegseth’s history of controversial behavior, including allegations of public drunkenness and sexual assault. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a double amputee and combat veteran, dismissed his newfound position as disingenuous. “Trump nominees lie all the time in order to get confirmed, don’t they? So, I don’t trust him,” she remarked.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), typically a staunch supporter of Trump’s nominees, acknowledged the inconsistency in Hegseth’s stance but appeared unfazed. “Sometimes you make comments that you don’t really want to stand by,” Tuberville said, implying the change might be strategic ahead of confirmation hearings.
Hegseth’s nomination underscores broader concerns about the vetting and qualifications of Trump’s Cabinet picks, as critics argue the administration prioritizes loyalty over expertise. The confirmation process is likely to feature heated debates, particularly on the role of women in the military and Hegseth’s fitness for the position.
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