Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the Department of Defense leadership position, has recently addressed previous comments regarding women serving in the military. Hegseth stated that he fully supports women in the military and recognizes them as 'some of our greatest warriors.'
During a local news interview, Hegseth emphasized his commitment to supporting women service members and clarified that his previous remarks had been misconstrued. He expressed admiration for the dedication and service of women in the military, highlighting their essential role in defending the nation.
Despite facing criticism for his past statement that women should not serve in combat roles, Hegseth affirmed his support for all military personnel, both men and women. He acknowledged the valuable contributions made by women in the armed forces and pledged to be a secretary for all warriors if confirmed.
Responding to allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking, Hegseth expressed eagerness for the FBI background check and discussions with senators to address the accusations. He described the scrutiny of his background as 'the anatomy of a smear' and reiterated his denial of the allegations.
As part of his confirmation process, Hegseth has been meeting with senators on Capitol Hill to garner support. He recently had a positive meeting with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst and plans to meet with other key senators, including Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, to seek their backing.
Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding his nomination, Hegseth remains focused on advocating for women in the military and defending his reputation as he navigates the confirmation process.