Dem Senator Chews Up 8 Minutes Of Hearing Lecturing Pete Hegseth About Women In Military

Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand spent eight minutes lecturing Army veteran and Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth about women serving in the military at Tuesday’s confirmation hearing.

Hegseth has stood in opposition to women fighting in combat roles and of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives reportedly implemented in the U.S. military. Gillibrand accused Hegseth of making denigrating comments about female service members that are “hurtful” and “harmful” to morale.

“Please explain these types of statements because they’re brutal and they’re mean,” Gillibrand said. “And they disrespect women who are willing to die for this country.”

“Well senator, I appreciate your comments and I would point out I’ve never disparaged women serving in the military. I respect every single female service member that has put on the uniform, past and present,” Hegseth said. “My critiques, senator, recently and in the past and from personal experience had been instances where I’ve seen standards lowered.”

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Hegseth, the author of “The War on Warriors,” said he spoke to a wide range of active duty service members who told him that standards had been lowered inside the military to meet female quotas and other DEI initiatives. He said these standards are denigrating to the women who have the capability to serve. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Hegseth Confirmation Battle Heats Up With New Ad Targeting Joni Ernst) 

The senator claimed commanders have no quota for women and argued that female service members have been “essential” for infantry units.

“That disparages those women who are incredibly capable of meeting that standard,” Hegseth said regarding DEI standards and quotas.