Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono posted on X about questioning Pete Hegseth on whether he is laying the groundwork to reverse current policy on women in combat roles.
According to her post, Hegseth did not deny the possibility and referred to “the highest male standard.” Hirono described his remarks as “overt misogyny” that insults women who serve. The post, which includes a video clip of the exchange, has drawn strong reactions online.
Sen. Mazie Hirono shared the post on X. The content originates from her official account and includes a video clip from a recent Senate confirmation hearing.
In the video, Sen. Hirono questions Pete Hegseth at a hearing table about whether he is preparing to reverse the policy allowing women in combat roles. Hegseth responds by stressing a focus on “the highest male standard” for every combat arms position and the need for review. The footage shows both speaking from their seats, but does not include the full prior exchange or any events outside the hearing room.
According to Hirono’s post, she asked Hegseth if he was laying the groundwork to change the policy on women in combat. He did not explicitly say no before discussing standards. The video clip does not independently confirm the details of any earlier statements referenced during questioning.
Hawaii Sen. Hirono’s Exchange with Hegseth Draws Online Reactions
Some commenters criticized Hirono, with one writing, “Like your fat, lazy butt should have any say about women in combat. You truly are the dumbest Senator in the nation and a disgrace for those of us living in Hawaii.”
Another stated, “You are dangerous to our national security. Having a high standard is a good thing, not bad.”
Others supported maintaining uniform standards regardless of gender. One commenter noted, “I support women in the military but do not want them fighting on the front lines unless they are physically as capable as the men they are fighting next to.”
A self-described feminist added, “I like that there are women in the military. However, I believe that anyone in combat must live up to the same tough standards.”
Several emphasized combat effectiveness over other factors, with one writing, “In a real war or conflict, it isn’t about how many women you have. It is about the quality of the soldiers you have. No watering down standards will make an effective fighting machine.”
The exchange has become part of a broader online discussion about military standards and policy priorities. The clip continues to draw comments as the confirmation process moves forward.
