How Trump and Hegseth could change the US military and the challenges they might face
Here's where Pete Hegseth's impact on the Pentagon could be significant.
ByMatt Seyler and Luis Martinez
November 25, 2024, 3:04 PM
How could Pete Hegseth change the Department of Defense?
ABC News’ Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz takes a closer look at the nominees picked by President-elect Donald Trump to be in his cabinet.
President-elect Donald Trump and his pick to lead the Defense Department, Pete Hegseth, have proposed major changes to the U.S. military, leading to questions about how the department could be affected in a second Trump administration.
Here are five areas that could see significant impact, as well as the obstacles such initiatives could face.
MORE: Pete Hegseth's plan to overhaul America's military: 'You need to fire a ton of generals'
Women in combat roles
Ahead of his selection by Trump to lead the DOD, Hegseth spoke out against women serving in ground combat roles.
"I love women service members, who contribute amazingly," Hegseth said during a podcast appearance earlier this month. But three minutes later, he added, "I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective, hasn't made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated."
https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-hegseth-change-us-military-challenges-face/story?id=116134625