Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and soldier, is Trump's pick for defense secretary. However, his opposition to women in combat roles has stirred up controversy, especially among those like Senator Tammy Duckworth who have served in combat themselves. Duckworth, who lost her legs in a Black Hawk helicopter crash during the Iraq war, strongly disagrees with Hegseth's stance. She argues that women have already proven their capabilities in combat, saving lives, and winning medals. Duckworth believes that Hegseth's views are not only wrong but also hurtful to the progress made in the military's treatment of sexual assault and harassment. The removal of combat barriers for women in 2015 was a significant step, but Hegseth's past allegations of sexual misconduct, despite his denial, add another layer of concern. Duckworth worries that his nomination undermines the military's ongoing efforts to address these issues.
