Top Democrat Tears Apart Trump's Defense Secretary Pick - The Reason Will Infuriate You

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) appears to be calling out some of President Trump's recent nominees, including Pete Hegseth, the President's rumored pick for Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), due to some deeply concerning beliefs on women in combat. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and current Fox News contributor, has come under scrutiny for his previous statements that women are not as effective as men in combat roles.

'Mr. Hegseth's views on women in combat are flat-out wrong,' said Senator Duckworth, a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient herself. 'Not only do women already make up a significant portion of our armed forces, but they've proven time and time again that they are just as capable as any man in a combat role. Denying women the same opportunities and recognition as men does a disservice to their sacrifice and undermines the integrity of our armed forces.'

Duckworth went on to state, 'As someone who lost my legs in combat and has dedicated my life to serving our nation's veterans, I know firsthand the qualifications and dedication required to lead the VA and the Department of Defense. Unfortunately, neither Hegseth nor Trump's pick for defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, fit those qualifications.'

'Patrick Shanahan, in particular, is inordinately unqualified for the job,' Duckworth explained. 'He's a former Boeing executive with no military experience. No one disputes that Boeing makes incredible aircraft, but experience in corporate America cannot replace years of public service, leadership, and experience working with the U.S. military.'

Sergeant Major John Wayne Troxell, senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in a Pentagon blog post that 'women who serve in the U.S. military today are amazing assets to our nation's defense' and rejected Hegseth's views as not only wrong but also 'disrespectful to our female troops.'

Senator Duckworth also said, 'We should be choosing nominees who will put our nation's security and veterans' well-being above their own self-interests and biases. Instead, this administration seems more interested in pushing through whatever candidate will blindly follow its leadership without questioning the long-term consequences.'