Dems to grill Pete Hegseth about his views on women in combat — despite him publicly changing his stance
Democrats are gearing up to grill defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth on his past behavior and opposition to women serving in combat roles during his potentially explosive confirmation hearing Tuesday — despite him publicly walking back the controversial comments.
Hegseth, an ex-combat veteran and former Fox News personality, is bracing for the tough line of questioning when he goes before the Senate Armed Services Committee from 9:30 a.m.
Pete Hegseth is set for a senate confirmation hearing for his role as defense secretary under Trump. Getty Images
The senators will likely dredge up his past comments about female troops, as well as allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking leveled against him, as they question whether he’s the right fit to lead the Pentagon.
“He can try to walk back his comments on women in combat all he wants, but we know what he thinks, right?” Democrat Tammy Duckworth of Illinois said in the lead up.
Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost her legs and partial use of her right arm when the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting in the Army National Guard was shot down, added: “He’s the most unqualified person to ever be nominated for secretary of defense.”
Hegseth came out firmly against allowing female troops to serve in combat during an appearance on the “Sean Ryan Show” podcast late last year.
“I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles,” he said at the time. “It hasn’t made us more effective. Hasn’t made us more lethal. Has made fighting more complicated.”
He later softened his view, arguing his comments had been “misconstrued.”
“Some of our greatest warriors, our best warriors out there, are women,” Hegseth told Fox News’ Sean Hannity, adding that the critical service from women soldiers helps the US defend itself “every single day around the globe.”
Hegseth, too, will be forced to confront allegations he sexually assaulted a woman and later paid her off to stay quiet — claims he has long denied.
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) told Punchbowl News she plans to ask Hegseth — like every other nominee — if they have been accused of sexual assault.
“I will ask him those questions and we will see what his answers are,” Hirono said. “I’m focused on the things that are already out in public, such as him signing a [non-disclosure agreement] with the woman who alleges that he raped her.”
With Post wires
