Story perspectives
Duckworth Slams Hegseth: Women Essential in Defense
10/6/2025
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Story summary
- Senator Tammy Duckworth condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's fitness remarks, affirming women are essential.
- Duckworth, a combat veteran, called Hegseth the 'least qualified secretary of defense' and rejected higher male standards.
- Senator Ruben Gallego said the stance would exclude women.
- Duckworth urged excellence and diversity to meet future challenges amid Pentagon leadership concerns about chaos and power consolidation.
