Democrats Attack Hegseth

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) launched a fiery attack on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of “undermining women in uniform” after he reaffirmed that U.S. combat roles must return to tougher, traditional male fitness standards.

Duckworth made the comments Sunday on Face the Nation, blasting Hegseth as “the least qualified secretary of Defense in our nation’s history.” She claimed that America’s military “could not do its job” without female soldiers.

But many veterans and conservatives say Duckworth missed the point — that Hegseth’s mission is to restore strength, discipline, and standards in a military weakened by years of “woke” politics.

“Standards Must Be Met”

During a major address to top commanders last week, Secretary Hegseth said all combat positions should once again meet the highest male physical requirements — no exceptions.

“If that means fewer women in combat roles, so be it,” Hegseth said. “This is life and death. Standards must be met.”

He added that women would still be welcomed in the armed forces but warned that lowering standards “endangers lives and weakens national defense.”

Conservative veterans groups praised the move, saying it sends a clear message: America’s enemies don’t care about diversity training — they care about victory.

Democrats Erupt Over the Decision

Democrat leaders quickly erupted in outrage. Duckworth accused Hegseth of “pushing women out of the military,” while Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) called his comments “shameful and unhinged.”

“The secretary is trying to roll back progress,” Aguilar said. “He’s the most unqualified defense leader in U.S. history.”

But for many Americans, especially veterans and military families, Hegseth’s stand is a breath of fresh air — a return to old-school military values, toughness, and patriotism over politics.

A Return to Readiness and Respect

Since taking over the Pentagon, Hegseth has vowed to end woke social experiments and refocus on training, readiness, and protecting America. His message resonates deeply with service members who believe the military’s mission is to win wars, not push ideology.

“Combat is not a social experiment,” one retired Marine told reporters. “It’s about who can survive and accomplish the mission.”

For many conservatives, Hegseth’s leadership marks the beginning of a new era of accountability — one that puts America’s strength, honor, and readiness back where they belong.