In a hearing on Tuesday, several senators from the Senate Armed Services Committee asked Pete Hegseth about his views on women in the military. This is the first step of his contentious confirmation.

Hegseth was targeted by a number of Senate Democrats for his past comments that criticized the Pentagon’s leadership’s focus on promoting women in a way that undermines military readiness and effectiveness. Hegseth, based on his combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and numerous conversations with other veterans, believes that military brass have relaxed standards of fitness in order to accommodate female recruits. Hegseth has pledged to enforce the same standards for all personnel, regardless of gender, if confirmed as secretary of Defense.

Senator Joni Ernst, R., Iowa, who expressed early reservations about Hegseth as a sexual assault survivor and Army Reserve veteran, asked the nominee if he supported women in combat roles. The nominee replied that he supports women in combat roles, so long as the standards are high. He also promised to review standards “gender neutrally”. He told Senator Tom Cotton, R. Ark. He said he had served alongside “great” women during combat, and that his priority would be to maintain high standards over meeting diversity quotas.

Hegseth later addressed the “wokeness” of the military, and the negative impact it has on recruitment. He said that the narrative that the army is full of extremists and racism is false, and that the service hasn’t tolerated racist behavior in a very long time.

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Hegseth was asked how he planned to deal with the problem. Ernst responded that sexual assault is an issue of personal importance for her. Hegseth said that he will appoint an official at a high level to deal with sexual assault within the ranks.

Mazie Hirono, (D. Hawaii), slammed Hegseth on various topics with a series rapid-fire questions. She asked, for example, if Hegseth would commit to not drink on the job. She cited media reports that former Fox News colleagues had said he’d drink on the job. Hegseth denied the reports, but avoided any questions about whether he would resign as Defense Secretary if those reports were confirmed.

Hirono, at one point, asked Hegseth if he would obey an order by President Trump to shoot demonstrators in the leg, referring to media reports of an exchange Trump had during the George Floyd Riots of 2020. Hirono said that when Hegseth didn’t immediately answer, “You will shoot the protesters in leg.”

Hegseth said that he was pro-life during the conversation and that the federal government shouldn’t fund travel to abortion clinics.

Democrats and Republicans have expressed concerns about the 44-year old’s ability as Secretary of Defense, where he would be responsible for overseeing 3 million military personnel and civilians around the globe and an annual budget of $800 billion.

Hegseth is accused of sexual assault, excessive alcohol consumption, and sexism. He has admitted paying an amount that is not disclosed to a woman accused of sexual assault by him at a Republican Conference in Monterey (California), allegations Hegseth strongly denies.

Hegseth, in a Senate hearing room packed to the brim of spectators and critics concerned about his lack credentials and allegations of past personal misconduct, reacted vigorously and defended his position on women serving as military personnel.

As he addressed the Senate Armed Services Committee, he accused the media in orchestrating a coordinated smear against him. This was the first step of his contentious nomination process.

When given the chance to respond, the former Fox News anchor slammed the media. He said reporters relied on “a small handful of anonymous sources” for negative stories written about him.

Hegseth claimed that the leftist media only wanted to destroy him.

Jack Reed, Ranking Member (D. RI), said he did not think Hegseth was qualified to lead the Pentagon. He cited “alarming public allegations” against Hegseth. Reed stated that Hegseth’s conduct would disqualify Him from serving as a member of the military, let alone the head the DOD. Reed expressed concern about Hegseth’s disdain for the international law and his opposition to diversity within the military. Reed believes Hegseth is a partisan candidate for the position and that he would inject politics into the military.

Hegseth stressed the broken military system and the need to restore “warrior ethics” if confirmed. He began his hearing by praising his wife and giving glory to Jesus Christ. Before he went through his list, he dedicated his testimony to veterans in the room and those watching.

Hegseth, who described himself as a “change agent,” pledged to put the rank-and-file first. He cited his military experience.

Hegseth has had limited experience in management, despite having served in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to Fox News, he was described as a “battle-proven, incredibly talented leader” while serving.

Hegseth stated in his opening remarks that “it is true that my biography does not resemble those of defense secretaries from the past 30 years.” “But as President Trump told me also, we have repeatedly put people at the top of the Pentagon who had ‘the right qualifications’ — whether they were retired generals or academics, or defense contractor executives. And where has that gotten us?”

Hegseth added, “He believes and I agree humbly that it is time to give someone who has dust on their boots the helm. A change agent. “Someone who has no interest in specific companies, programs or narratives.”

As its bureaucracy grows, the Pentagon has failed seven audits in a row. The Pentagon’s embrace of progressive ideologies has been cited by critics as an indication that urgent reform is needed.

Hegseth received the support of a number Republicans following meetings with many legislators on Capitol Hill over the past few weeks. Senate Majority leader John Thune (R. S.D. ) Hegseth is “hopeful”, according to John Thune (R., S.D.). Senator John Barrasso, R., Wyoming, said that he was confident about Hegseth being confirmed. On Sunday, he called him “very competent” for the position.

Hegseth must first receive approval from the Senate Armed Services Committee in order to advance his nomination for a vote by the Senate.