Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the Pentagon leadership, has affirmed his backing for women in combat roles within the military. In response to questions regarding his previous remarks on the subject, Hegseth emphasized his support for all women currently serving in the military, highlighting their exceptional contributions across various critical areas, including combat.
During a recent interview, Hegseth stated, “We support all women serving in our military today who do a fantastic job across the globe in our Pentagon and deliver critical aspects, all aspects, combat included, and they have so for quite some time. So I look forward to being a leader for every single member of this Pentagon, men and women.”
Addressing concerns raised about his past comments expressing reservations about women in combat roles, Hegseth reiterated his commitment to leading and supporting all Pentagon personnel, regardless of gender. He clarified that his focus is on ensuring that appropriate standards are established for all military positions, with both men and women expected to meet these standards without compromise.
Notably, Hegseth had previously stated in a podcast interview that he believed women should not be in combat roles. However, in a recent interview on Fox News, he sought to clarify his stance, emphasizing his intention to support women service members whom he described as “some of our greatest warriors.”
The issue of women in combat roles has garnered attention from key Republican senators involved in Hegseth’s confirmation process. Senator Susan Collins disclosed that she had engaged in a substantive discussion with Hegseth, including addressing the role of women in the military.
According to transition officials, Hegseth has conveyed to senators in private conversations that he does not oppose women serving in combat roles as long as they meet the established standards applicable to all military personnel. The focus remains on upholding consistent standards for all service members, without any adjustments or compromises based on gender.
