Trump Defense Pick Sparks Clash Over Women in Combat Roles

President Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has sparked renewed debate by questioning the role of women in combat units.

Hegseth, a former Fox News commentator, has publicly criticized the inclusion of women in front-line roles, arguing that it complicates military operations and diminishes effectiveness.

“I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated,” he said during a podcast earlier this month.

Hegseth’s remarks challenge the Pentagon’s nearly decade-old policy of opening all combat roles to women, a move implemented under then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter in 2015.

Carter’s decision followed years of study and acknowledged that women had already proven their capabilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Divided Opinions Among Lawmakers and Military

Hegseth’s stance has drawn mixed reactions. Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic senator for Illinois, who lost both legs in combat, slammed Hegseth’s perspective, saying it reflects an outdated understanding of modern warfare.

“Where do you think I lost my legs, in a bar fight?” she asked. Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator for South Carolina, offered a more tempered response, praising Hegseth but maintaining that women have served “honorably in combat roles.”

Critics, including veterans like Erin Kirk, argue Hegseth’s views are regressive and dismiss decades of evidence showing women’s effectiveness in combat.

Kirk noted: “Pete Hegseth’s views on women in the military are outdated, prejudiced, and ignore over 20 years of evidence proving women’s effectiveness in combat roles.”

Recruitment and Standards in Focus

Hegseth has claimed the military lowered standards to accommodate women in combat roles, a point contested by military officials and experts.

Navy Capt. Lory Manning emphasized that occupational standards remain gender-neutral and legally mandated.

While the physical fitness test adjusts for age and gender, job-specific requirements are uniform across genders.

Critics worry that removing women from combat roles could exacerbate recruiting challenges. Manning highlighted concerns about lowering standards to enlist more men, particularly as the military struggles to meet its goals.

Women Continue to Break Barriers

Despite ongoing resistance, women have steadily advanced into roles previously reserved for men.

More than 150 women have graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School, and others have joined elite units like the Green Berets and Air Force special operations. Thousands of women now serve in previously male-only roles, including infantry, artillery, and armor units.

Former service member Monica Meeks underscored the reality of modern warfare, stating: “When people say women shouldn’t serve in a combat zone, an IED (improvised explosive device) can happen at any time. So there is no front line in these wars.”

Hegseth’s confirmation process will likely see this issue take center stage once again.

This article includes additional reporting from The Associated Press