Duckworth Critiques Hegseth's Defense Nomination

Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Pete Hegseth's assertion that women should not serve in combat roles, calling him 'out of touch' and highlighting his lack of military experience. Duckworth, a combat veteran herself, emphasized the evolving nature of warfare and the essential contributions of over 225,000 women currently in active duty. Meanwhile, Hegseth, nominated by Donald Trump for Secretary of Defense, defended his comments by stating that integrating women in combat complicates military effectiveness. He argued that, historically, men are more capable in these roles, though he acknowledged that some women could handle combat. In response, retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré countered Hegseth's claims, asserting that women are vital to the armed forces and that there is no evidence to support the notion that their presence diminishes military effectiveness. The controversy has sparked a broader debate about gender roles in the military.