Warren pointed out that Hegseth said in an interview on Fox News in 2013 that women in the military couldn’t keep up with men in the military and said allowing women in combat roles would force the military to lower the bar . She also noted that he made similar comments in 2015 and said in a podcast with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro last year that women shouldn’t participate in fights at all.

“I don’t know the 2013 article you reference, but it fully supports my argument, because in that 2013 argument I was talking about standards. Standards are what it’s always been about,” Hegseth said.

Warren responded: “I want to be clear here. For twelve years you have expressed your views quite openly, and your views have always been the same: women are inferior, soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and guards. And in case anyone missed it.” The point, and these are your words from 10 weeks ago: “Women who are completely honest should not be allowed to serve in combat.”

Warren said Hegseth made a major “about-face” after the election and said women should serve in combat.

“So help me understand what extraordinary event occurred in that 32-day period that caused you to change the core values ​​that you had expressed over the previous 12 years?” Warren said.

“The concerns that I have and the concerns that many have had, particularly in ground combat units, is that the standards have changed in pursuing certain percentages or quotas, and that makes the fight more difficult for everyone involved,” Hegseth said.

Warren responded: “Let me offer a suggestion about what happened in those 32 days. You received a nomination from President Trump. I have heard of deathbed conversions, but this is the first time I have heard of a nomination conversion.”