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Another focal point was the confirmation process for the Secretary of Defense, specifically involving Pete Hegseth. As a veteran and public figure, Hegseth found himself embroiled in discussions about women serving in combat roles. Some Senate questioning seemed aimed at dissecting past remarks about women on front lines, to which he defended generic standards without engaging in gender bias. Questions around whether women should face the same physical standards as men during military evaluations were particularly contentious. Here, the sensibility of maintaining readiness while ensuring equality in the military roles was passionately articulated, drawing a spirited discussion revolving around meritocracy versus gender.