January 14, 2025
Washington, D.C. - In a dramatic exchange at today's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing for the Secretary of Defense position, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sharply criticized Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee, questioning his qualifications and past statements on critical military issues.
Duckworth, herself an Iraq War veteran who lost both legs in combat, took aim at Hegseth's experience, particularly his views on women serving in combat roles. The senator highlighted Hegseth's previous comments where he suggested that women should not be in combat positions, contrasting those remarks with her own military service. Duckworth posed a direct question to Hegseth, asking if he believed that lowering standards was necessary for his confirmation, essentially accusing him of being unfit for the role due to his inexperience and controversial stances.
The senator's grilling included queries about Hegseth's leadership capabilities, pointing out his lack of experience managing large organizations akin to the Department of Defense. Duckworth noted, "You have not earned your place as secretary of Defense," and declared him "a no-go at this station," a military term for failing to meet standards in training scenarios.
Moreover, Duckworth challenged Hegseth on his knowledge of international alliances, specifically asking about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which Hegseth incorrectly associated with countries like South Korea and Japan, none of which are ASEAN members. This line of questioning underscored what Duckworth framed as Hegseth's lack of preparation for diplomatic negotiations.
Hegseth, who has been a frequent commentator on Fox News and served in the Army National Guard, responded to Duckworth's criticisms by insisting that military standards would remain high under his leadership. However, his responses to queries about his management experience and broader strategic vision were met with skepticism from Duckworth and other senators present.
The hearing also saw Duckworth questioning Hegseth's ability to conduct or oversee an audit, given his past with managing nonprofit budgets, which she claimed required forensic accounting post his tenure.
This intense exchange has fueled further debate over Hegseth's nomination, with Democrats expressing serious concerns about his capability to lead the Pentagon, while some Republicans have rallied to defend his nomination based on his military service and alignment with Trump's policies.
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Duckworth Challenges Hegseth's Qualifications in Heated Senate Hearing
January 14, 2025
Washington, D.C. - In a dramatic exchange at today's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing for the Secretary of Defense position, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sharply criticized Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee, questioning his qualifications and past statements on critical military issues.
Duckworth, herself an Iraq War veteran who lost both legs in combat, took aim at Hegseth's experience, particularly his views on women serving in combat roles. The senator highlighted Hegseth's previous comments where he suggested that women should not be in combat positions, contrasting those remarks with her own military service. Duckworth posed a direct question to Hegseth, asking if he believed that lowering standards was necessary for his confirmation, essentially accusing him of being unfit for the role due to his inexperience and controversial stances.
The senator's grilling included queries about Hegseth's leadership capabilities, pointing out his lack of experience managing large organizations akin to the Department of Defense. Duckworth noted, "You have not earned your place as secretary of Defense," and declared him "a no-go at this station," a military term for failing to meet standards in training scenarios.
Moreover, Duckworth challenged Hegseth on his knowledge of international alliances, specifically asking about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which Hegseth incorrectly associated with countries like South Korea and Japan, none of which are ASEAN members. This line of questioning underscored what Duckworth framed as Hegseth's lack of preparation for diplomatic negotiations.
Hegseth's Rebuttal:
In response to Duckworth's criticisms, Hegseth defended his stance by asserting that his comments on women in combat had been "misconstrued." He clarified that his concern was not about excluding women but ensuring that military standards were uniformly applied without "lowering them for anyone." Hegseth emphasized his commitment to maintaining rigorous standards across the board, saying, "This is about warfighting capability, setting standards high, and making sure we give our boys, our men and women, everything they need to be successful on the battlefield."
On the topic of his management experience, Hegseth argued that his unconventional background was precisely why Trump chose him, to bring a "change agent" perspective to the Pentagon. Hegseth countered Duckworth's comments on his lack of experience by highlighting his roles in veterans' organizations and his time as a platoon leader, noting, "I've been a part of teaching that," in reference to understanding military agreements like the Status of Forces Agreement.
Hegseth also responded to the audit question by stating that in the organizations he ran, they were "always completely fiscally responsible," although he did not directly confirm leading an audit himself. His defense included a broader narrative of redemption and change, suggesting that his past experiences and learned lessons equip him uniquely for the role.
This intense exchange has fueled further debate over Hegseth's nomination, with Democrats expressing serious concerns about his capability to lead the Pentagon, while some Republicans have rallied to defend his nomination based on his military service and alignment with Trump's policies. 17GEN4.com
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