Eric Schmitt

That's what he's implying. He's basically saying that in order to accommodate, whether it's gender politics or other politics within the military, you've lowered the standards, the effectiveness standards of your basic soldiers here. And that's just not the case. The most elite units have got A specific test that both men and women who serve in those units have to pass.

That's what he's implying. He's basically saying that in order to accommodate, whether it's gender politics or other politics within the military, you've lowered the standards, the effectiveness standards of your basic soldiers here. And that's just not the case. The most elite units have got A specific test that both men and women who serve in those units have to pass.

It's not like there's a test for women and a test for men in these elite units. And to say, you know, that the standards have been, you know, warped under the current administration to serve their progressive politics, that's not right. And this is what some of these Democratic senators are saying, saying, wait a minute now, you know, they're calling him on it.

It's not like there's a test for women and a test for men in these elite units. And to say, you know, that the standards have been, you know, warped under the current administration to serve their progressive politics, that's not right. And this is what some of these Democratic senators are saying, saying, wait a minute now, you know, they're calling him on it.

So that was the Democrats. But what was perhaps the most interesting and one of the most awaited parts of this hearing was the support that Hexeth seemed to get from Republican Senator Joni Ernst.

So that was the Democrats. But what was perhaps the most interesting and one of the most awaited parts of this hearing was the support that Hexeth seemed to get from Republican Senator Joni Ernst.

She is a combat veteran and also a sexual assault survivor, somebody who is seen as a pivotal figure in these hearings.

She is a combat veteran and also a sexual assault survivor, somebody who is seen as a pivotal figure in these hearings.

Where they do seem to kind of come together now is this question of standards.

Where they do seem to kind of come together now is this question of standards.

Men and women must meet the same high standards. They must be physically able to achieve those standards in order to serve in these units. That, of course, is one of the main things that he's trying to get across. And now she seems to be saying the same thing.

Men and women must meet the same high standards. They must be physically able to achieve those standards in order to serve in these units. That, of course, is one of the main things that he's trying to get across. And now she seems to be saying the same thing.

That's right. Other Republicans on the committee want to zero in on the whole question of standards and how the military should be based on merit and skill rather than DEI qualities.

That's right. Other Republicans on the committee want to zero in on the whole question of standards and how the military should be based on merit and skill rather than DEI qualities.

And not the wokeness that they claim is making America weak and making America's military weak.

And not the wokeness that they claim is making America weak and making America's military weak.

Senators such as Senator Tuberville of Alabama talking about how the military is way too focused on identity issues.

Senators such as Senator Tuberville of Alabama talking about how the military is way too focused on identity issues.

This is why P. Hegseth has to be installed right away so that he can get to the job of focusing the nation's military on warfighting. That's really what's important here.

This is why P. Hegseth has to be installed right away so that he can get to the job of focusing the nation's military on warfighting. That's really what's important here.