Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Hegseth Spar Over Women in Combat

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) Massachusetts questions Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary about women serving in combat roles and if he'd commit to not serving in the defense industry for 10 years after leaving government.

In recent weeks, Hegseth has confirmed that he has reversed his previous opposition to gay Americans serving in the military and to women taking part in combat.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire pressed Hegseth about his 180-degree turn on whether women should be allowed in combat, asking him why women should believe they’d have a fair chance to rise through the ranks under his leadership.

“What do you have to say to the almost 400,000 women who are serving today about your position?” she asked Hegseth.

Hegseth said he would tell these women “you will be treated fairly and with dignity, honor and respect just like any man and woman in uniform.” Shaheen responded dryly: “I appreciate your 11th-hour conversion.”

In his answers to written questions, Hegseth said he’d create a “high-level position dedicated to ensuring a focus on ending sexual assault in the military.” It’s unclear whether the new post would replace or elevate the Pentagon’s existing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.

Hegseth, who holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard universities, continued to face pointed questions from Democrats about accusations that he has rejected, including that he raped a woman in 2017. He wasn’t charged for what he’s called a consensual encounter but paid the accuser a financial settlement. He has said he’s a changed person and wouldn’t drink alcohol while serving as defense secretary.

Responding to questions from Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia about past infidelity toward his wives, Hegseth said “I’m not a perfect person. I’m redeemed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Asked whether he used physical violence against his any of his three wives, he said “absolutely not.”

After a rocky debut, Hegseth managed to keep his nomination alive thanks to backing from Trump and what appeared to be softening from a key Republican senator on the committee — Joni Ernst of Iowa, a military veteran and rape survivor.

Ernst, who faces reelection next year, first appeared skeptical about the nomination, and that generated a torrent of online criticism from Trump supporters.

After meeting with Hegseth last month, Ernst released a statement saying their conversations were “encouraging.”

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