Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth's opposition to women serving in combat is a regressive ideology and rooted in misogynistic biases.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth said that Pete Hegseth is "flat-out wrong" in his view that women should not serve in the military in combat roles.

Pete Hegseth has made comments about women on the front lines that challenges Pentagon policy on the inclusion of women.

Combat roles and military leadership should not be treated as the default domains of men. Entrenched gender biases, coupled with a reluctance to challenge traditional norms, prevent military institutions from embracing the diversity and innovation required to adapt to modern challenges.

Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support.