Protect Our Defenders Urges Congress to Reject Pete Hegseth, Cites Risks to Healthy Command Climate, Removing Women in Combat, and Faces Sexual Assault Allegations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2024
Brian Purchia, brian@protectourdefenders.com
***STATEMENT***
Protect Our Defenders warns Hegseth’s stance could undermine morale, justice reforms, and safety in the Armed Forces
Washington, DC – Protect Our Defenders (POD) – the pre-eminent national human rights organization dedicated to ending sexual violence in the military – is calling on Congress to reject the nomination of President-elect Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, Army veteran and conservative commentator Pete Hegseth citing concerns around his fitness for the role.
Hegseth has openly opposed the military’s anti-extremism initiatives. He has also expressed beliefs that women should not serve in combat roles, raising serious concerns about eroding progress in attracting top talent to the armed forces. At a time when the military is facing a severe recruitment and retention crisis – with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard all falling short of their recruiting goals in 2023 – rolling back opportunities for women would exacerbate these challenges, further shrinking the talent pool essential for mission readiness.
He also faced serious sexual assault allegations in 2017, which reportedly led to a private settlement. This raises significant concerns about his ability to lead in an institution already grappling with systemic issues of sexual violence, including one of the largest military sexual assault scandals in recent history, involving more than 100 victims accusing Maj. Michael Stockin, an Army doctor, of sexual assault. Allowing leadership with such a record to set military policy would erode trust and weaken accountability, further threatening cohesion and morale.
Hegseth’s views represent a step backward for an institution that relies on fairness, and accountability to maintain morale and cohesion.
Protect Our Defenders Founder, Chair, and CEO, Nancy Parrish, released the following statement:
“The next Secretary of Defense must embody the values of fairness, respect, and a commitment to equality within our military. Women in combat roles have repeatedly proven their worth and effectiveness. To undermine their contributions is to threaten decades of hard-won progress, weaken morale, and risk fostering an environment where harassment and abuse can thrive.
“Recent bipartisan reforms to the military justice system—driven by the courageous advocacy of sexual assault survivors, veterans, and their families—have strengthened our military’s integrity and effectiveness. Leaders from across the political spectrum, including Senators Ernst and Gillibrand, have demonstrated that protecting our troops transcends politics.
“We urge Senators to act decisively to reject this nomination and demand leadership that strengthens, not weakens, our military. His documented opposition to inclusion, history of misconduct allegations, and willingness to reverse progress on critical reforms disqualify him for this role.
“The Secretary of Defense must bolster unit cohesion, trust, and mission readiness. Hegseth’s own statements and positions run counter to these essential values, making him unfit to serve in one of our nation’s most important roles.”
Protect Our Defenders Senior Vice President, Josh Connolly, former Chief of Staff for Rep. Jackie Speier (former Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee), released the following statement:
“The military is facing a severe recruitment and retention crisis. This is not just about numbers—it’s about creating a culture that attracts and retains the best talent our country has to offer.
“To meet mission requirements and ensure our forces remain the best in the world, we need leadership that prioritizes a healthy command climate.Pete Hegseth has disqualified himself based on his views that women should not serve in combat and desire to roll back efforts that are making our armed forces more effective.
“The Secretary of Defense must set the tone for a culture of respect and accountability. Hegseth’s record erodes the trust needed to maintain mission readiness and protect those who serve. Congress must reject his nomination to ensure leadership that reflects the values of our nation and its military.”
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About Protect Our Defenders: Protect Our Defenders is the pre-eminent national human rights organization dedicated to ending sexual violence, victim retaliation, misogyny, sexual prejudice, and racism in the military and combating a culture that has allowed it to persist. We seek to honor, support and give voice to the brave women and men in uniform who have been sexually assaulted while serving their country, and re-victimized by the military adjudication system – a system that often blames the victim and fails to prosecute the perpetrator. Learn more about Protect Our Defenders at www.protectourdefenders.com or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/
