Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) explained the critical role women play in combat and how Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will weaken the United States.
Duckworth, a veteran who lost both legs in combat, told CNN:
He was wrong. Because women have made us more efficient. In fact, our military could not go to war without the 223,000 women in uniform.
We will have an ineffective military. This is an army that cannot be deployed. When it comes to all women, there’s no fighting for them in roles like infantry or Navy SEALs. The women met the same criteria as the men to be assigned to the position.
So again this shows that Mr. Hegseth is not qualified for the position because he does not understand. Obviously, even after serving, women are actually very important. For an effective military. And I would say that because of the recruiting problems that we’re having right now, if we pulled all those women out and told them they couldn’t join the fight, we would be facing a serious personnel crisis in the military.
video:
Combat vet Senator Tammy Duckworth says why Pete Hegseth is wrong about allowing women to serve in the military: “Our military cannot go to war without 223,000 women serving. We will have an ineffective military. An undeployable military.” pic.twitter.com/oRLXnuqvuE
— Sarah Liz Jones (@PoliticusSarah) November 24, 2024
Duckworth is right. The military is already facing a recruitment crisis, and Hegseth’s backward and sexist ideas will only make the situation worse. Senator Duckworth sacrificed himself for his country in Iraq. To be told that a woman like her is unfit for combat is the ultimate insult.
In the bigger picture, Hegseth’s view is an example of Trump’s dream of returning the country to a time when white people ruled the country. From deporting immigrants to destroying women’s rights, America will have to contend with outdated ideas of racism and sexism that many people wish were buried in the past.
Hegseth, who has been accused of sexual assault, is the perfect person to lead the military.
