Trump’s Pentagon pick grilled by senators as cabinet hearings begin

Contentious As confirmation hearings for Donald Trump’s cabinet selections begin, senators questioned Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth on Tuesday about his abilities to command the Defense Department and his opinions on women fighting in combat.

While Democrats may agree to expedite some of Trump’s national security nominations, Senate Republicans are eager for them to be approved as soon as possible and are committed to erecting obstacles in the way of individuals they believe are unqualified.

Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee interrogated Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Army National Guard officer, but Republicans mostly indicated support.

He remained steadfast in his criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, claiming that they are “not putting meritocracy first, but dividing troops inside formations, causing commanders to walk on eggshells.”

However, he attempted to modify his statements about women serving in combat, which he still opposed as recently as November 2024.

“I respect every single female service member that has put on the uniform past and present. My critiques… recently and in the past, and from personal experience, have been instances where I’ve seen standards lowered,” Hegseth told lawmakers.

“Women will have access to ground combat roles… given the standards remain high,” the 44-year-old said.

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth who lost both legs when her Black Hawk helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq was unconvinced.

“There is no US military as we know it without the incredible women that we serve, women who’ve earned their place in their units,” Duckworth said. “You have not earned your place as secretary of defense.”

Concerns regarding Hegseth’s prior personal behavior and his capacity to oversee the Pentagon, a huge organization with over three million employees, have also drawn criticism.

During interrogation, he acknowledged that he had in the past managed “nothing remotely near the size of the Defense Department.”