During his confirmation hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee, President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, addressed his previous comments regarding women serving in combat roles. Hegseth stated that he now believes women 'make amazing contributions across all aspects of our battlefield.'
Responding to questions from Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Hegseth clarified that his concerns were not about the capabilities of men and women but rather about maintaining standards. He emphasized the importance of upholding standards to ensure readiness in all duty positions and schools.
While Hegseth acknowledged his past statements, including remarks in a book where he suggested women were 'comparatively less effective than men in combat roles,' he did not provide specific examples of how standards had been compromised for women in certain positions.
Throughout the hearing, the focus remained on the need to preserve and uphold military standards to maintain readiness and effectiveness across all roles within the armed forces. Hegseth's shift in perspective regarding women in combat roles reflects a broader recognition of the valuable contributions that women can make in various military capacities.
