Pete Hegseth first Trump Cabinet pick to face Senate questions
In a 75-page questionnaire, Hegseth answered numerous policy questions posed by the Senate Armed Services Committee about a range of issues facing the military.
Addressing sexual assault in the military, Hegseth said that he would place a “high-level official in charge” to oversee a plan to prevent sexual assault and harassment across the military.
He was asked about women serving in the military and seemed open to them serving in any role. “Every service member, regardless of gender, who can meet objective occupational and readiness standards for a career field should have the opportunity to compete for jobs in that field,” he said. Hegseth had previously opposed women serving in combat roles.
Hegseth said that the military has become “too focused on political issues of social justice, political correctness, critical race theory, climate change, etc.,” the questionnaire said. “The military is an a-political institution that should be focused only on lethality, equality, meritocracy, and readiness.”
And while Hegseth indicated that the U.S. should actively deter Russia from acting against U.S. interests, he couldn’t answer a question about whether it’s important for the U.S. to continue providing security assistance to Ukraine.
“If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department of Defense plays a key role in the whole-of-government effort to support the President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine-Russia,” he said.
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