Shaheen confronts troubled Trump defense pick over women-in-the-military views

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) pressed hard on Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense, during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday over statements he made opposing women serving in combat roles in the US military.

During the hearing, Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and a staunch advocate for women’s roles in national security, pressed Hegseth on comments he made in 2020 stating “we should not have women in combat roles” and that women are “more likely to be objectified by the enemy and their own nation in the moral realms of war.” 

“If, on the one hand, you say that women are not competent. They make our military less effective. And on the other hand, you say, ‘Oh no, now that I’ve been nominated to be the secretary of defense, I’ve changed my view on women in the military.’ What do you have to say to the almost 400,000 women who are serving today about your position on whether they should be capable to rise to the highest rank of our military?” Shaheen asked.

Hegseth sought to walk back his previous statements, telling Shaheen that as Secretary of Defense he would “be honored to serve alongside you, shoulder to shoulder, men and women, black, white, all backgrounds with a shared purpose.” 

“I appreciate your 11th hour conversion,” Shaheen said.

In response, Hegseth attempted to clarify his position, stating his concerns were about “standards” and “readiness” rather than the capabilities of women. However, Shaheen pointed to Hegseth’s past writings, including a chapter in his book “War on Warriors” titled “The Deadly Obsession with Women Warriors,” as evidence that he fundamentally doubts women’s suitability for combat roles.

RELATED: ‘Don’t Let Scott Brown Mass Up NH’: Republicans on early defense in 2026 Senate fight

Shaheen made clear that Hegseth’s views on the subject would face intense scrutiny during the confirmation process.

Senator Shaheen also challenged Hegseth to uphold the Women, Peace and Security Act, enacted in 2017, legislation Shaheen spearheaded. This legislation, crucial for ensuring women’s involvement at all levels of national security, aims to bolster the United States’ conflict resolution and global peace efforts.

Hegseth’s refusal to affirm his support for the law, which was signed by President Trump, stating he would review the program to assess its alignment with an “America First” defense position. 

The Women, Peace and Security Act, enacted in 2017, has been a bipartisan effort, receiving support from figures across the political spectrum, including Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Marco Rubio, as well as being led in the House by Representative Kristi Noem.

The law mandates comprehensive inclusion of women in all aspects of U.S. national security, a stance previously supported under both the Trump and Biden administrations.