In Washington, Pete Hegseth has been actively engaging with Republican senators throughout the week, aiming to alleviate concerns surrounding his nomination as the leader of President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Defense. This comes in the wake of serious allegations involving claims of problematic drinking and sexual misconduct. However, bipartisan apprehension has arisen not only from these allegations but also from Hegseth’s controversial stance regarding the role of women in military combat positions.
As a former Major in the Army National Guard and a combat veteran, Hegseth is making efforts to secure his nomination by assuring senators that he will abstain from drinking while serving and that he has never been involved in any sexual misconduct. Despite these assurances, his past comments regarding women in combat roles are coming under increased scrutiny. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer recounted a personal conversation with Hegseth in which he emphasized the importance of recognizing women like Senators Joni Ernst and Tammy Duckworth, both of whom are combat veterans and serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The ongoing debate about the inclusion of women in military roles can be seen as part of a broader movement on the far-right that seeks to revert the military to a previous status quo. Hegseth aligns himself with Trump’s perspective, which includes plans to dismantle so-called “woke” initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the armed forces. Trump has indicated his intent to remove military leaders he perceives as “woke,” as he prepares for a potential return to the White House.
Contrarily, military and defense authorities advocate for the inclusion of women in all combat functions, arguing that excluding them from these roles would be fundamentally unjust. They firmly assert that standards have not been softened to enable women’s participation in the armed forces. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the significance of women’s contributions to the military, including their roles in combat units during his command in Iraq. “This isn’t 1950. It isn’t 1948. It is 2024,” Austin remarked, emphasizing the progress that has been made.
During his week of meetings with Republican senators, Hegseth faced inquiries about his stance on women’s participation in combat. He proclaimed, “We have amazing women who serve our military,” a notable shift from his previous assertion that women “straight up” should not engage in combat. Just last month, he expressed that integrating women into combat roles complicates military operations and does not enhance effectiveness.
Hegseth has also expressed his belief in the necessity of a masculine-focused military, a viewpoint that is not being welcomed warmly on Capitol Hill. Senator Ernst, a Republican and a retired lieutenant colonel, described her discussion with Hegseth as “frank and thorough,” yet withheld support for his nomination, alluding to the complexity of the vetting process. Ernst has been an advocate for women in the military and has worked tirelessly to ensure a safe environment for servicewomen.
On Thursday, Hegseth characterized his meeting with Ernst as “productive” and emphasized that Trump is fully supportive of his efforts. Approaching meetings with other senators, including South Dakota’s Mike Rounds, Hegseth expressed his willingness to absorb insights from the Senate Armed Services Committee to enhance his understanding.
As of now, he has not yet had discussions with Duckworth or any Democrats on the committee. Duckworth is a decorated veteran who endured severe injuries during her service in Iraq and has extensive experience, serving over two decades in the military and working as an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs post-retirement. Senator Cramer warned that Hegseth should be prepared for intense questioning during his confirmation hearing, especially from Democrats.
As Hegseth works to maintain his nomination, Trump seems to be taking a step back, even as rumors circulate about potential alternative candidates, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who could take over the Department of Defense role. Currently, women comprise about 17.5% of the active-duty military personnel, a figure that has steadily increased over two decades. These women have been serving in combat for many years across various roles, such as pilots and intelligence officers.
In 2015, the Pentagon officially opened all combat roles to women, leading to thousands of female service members occupying positions previously limited to men. This year alone, nearly 4,800 women are involved in Army infantry, armor, and artillery roles, with more than 150 successfully completing the Army Ranger course, while a select few have qualified for elite special operations units such as the Army Green Berets.
