While President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense has come under fire for suggesting women should be excluded from certain military positions, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen has criticized the idea of having women in the military, including combat roles. emphasized its importance.
“Women in combat today are essential to our defense. It's not like we're in a Gladiator 2 type conflict. Rather, we have great aircraft pilots and There are women… They're piloting our ships, they're piloting our helicopters, they're engaged in combat in every sense of the word,” Cohen, who served in the Clinton administration, said Saturday. told CNN's Jim Schutt.
Cohen said he believes President Trump's pick, Pete Hegseth, could face an uphill battle in his Senate confirmation hearing for the defense secretary position over Trump's comments about pulling women out of combat roles. added.
“I think getting them out will be a concern for the U.S. Senate during the confirmation process,” Cohen added.
Cohen also suggested that women should fill important roles related to cybersecurity within the military.
“We need women to take on key areas of responsibility in our warfighting capabilities, and today's wars are being fought on Apple computer boards rather than on the battlefield itself. […] We are fighting a different kind of war today, and women are essential to it. ”
Hegseth's confirmation is also complicated by sexual assault allegations against him, but many Republican senators are optimistic he will be confirmed.
