Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth stated Sunday that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s decide for protection secretary is “flat-out improper” in his view that ladies mustn’t serve within the navy in fight roles.
“Our navy couldn’t go to battle with out the ladies who put on this uniform,” Duckworth stated on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” “And admittedly, America’s daughters are simply as able to defending liberty and freedom as her sons.”
Trump tapped Hegseth, a former Fox Information host and Military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as his decide to move the Protection Division earlier this month. The 44-year-old has drawn criticism for his stance on girls in fight roles, alongside along with his degree of expertise.
Duckworth, who in 2004 deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot and sustained extreme accidents when her helicopter was hit by an RPG, outlined that ladies who serve in fight roles have met the identical requirements as males, passing rigorous testing. She stated Hegseth’s place “simply exhibits his lack of awareness of the place our navy is,” whereas arguing that he is “inordinately unqualified for the place.”
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“Our navy couldn’t go to battle with out the 220,000-plus girls who serve in uniform,” Duckworth stated. She added that having girls within the navy “does make us more practical, does make us extra deadly.”
Hegseth has additionally drawn scrutiny amid not too long ago unearthed particulars about an investigation into an alleged sexual assault in 2017. Hegseth denies the allegation and characterised the incident as a consensual encounter. The Monterey County district legal professional’s workplace declined to file costs as none had been “supported by proof past an affordable doubt.” His lawyer has acknowledged that Hegseth paid a confidential monetary settlement to the girl out of concern that the allegation would jeopardize his employment.
Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who serves on the Armed Companies and Overseas Relations Committees, stated it is “actually troubling” that Trump would nominate somebody who “has admitted that he is paid off a sufferer who has claimed rape allegations towards him.”
“This isn’t the form of particular person you wish to lead the Division of Protection,” she added.
The feedback come after Trump introduced a slew of picks for prime posts in his administration in current days. In the meantime, one decide — former Rep. Matt Gaetz for legal professional basic — has already withdrawn his identify from consideration after he confronted intense scrutiny amid a Home Ethics Committee investigation and a tenuous path to Senate affirmation.
Whereas Duckworth acknowledged that she’s glad her Senate Republicans “held the road” on Gaetz and in addition elected Sen. John Thune as chief over a candidate favored by many in Trump’s orbit, she stated she’s “deeply involved” her Republican colleagues will inexperienced gentle Trump’s nominees.
“From what I am listening to from my Republican colleagues on every thing from protection secretary to different posts, it feels like they’re able to roll over for Mr. Trump,” Duckworth stated.
However Duckworth did not rule out supporting among the nominees herself through the Senate affirmation course of, pledged to judge every candidate based mostly on their capacity to do the job, and their willingness to place the wants of the American folks earlier than “a retribution marketing campaign for Mr. Trump.”
In the meantime, a CBS Information ballot launched on Sunday discovered that 33% of Individuals say Hegseth is a “sensible choice” for protection secretary, together with 64% of Trump voters. However 39% of Individuals stated they hadn’t heard sufficient but in regards to the decide. Extra broadly, Individuals typically say they need Trump to nominate individuals who’ll converse their minds and who’ve expertise within the discipline or company they’re going to run.
Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who additionally appeared on “Face the Nation” on Sunday, stated he believes that Hegseth can run the large Protection Division, regardless of his lack of expertise managing a big group. Although he didn’t handle Hegseth’s feedback about girls in fight roles, Paul stated he believes the “overwhelming majority of individuals” help leaders who’re picked based mostly on advantage, citing Hegseth’s criticism of the Pentagon for what he says has been a transfer away from merit-based hiring and towards hiring based mostly on “racial traits.”
