WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin[1] used a speech at West Point[2] Wednesday to forcefully endorse having women in combat roles and emphasize the military's obligation to defend the U.S. Constitution -- ideals some fear may come under fire in the upcoming Trump administration.
Speaking to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy[3] in New York, he recalled commanding troops during the early days of the invasion of Iraq in 2003[4]. He said he wanted to keep his command post at the front where he could see the fight, but he told his soldiers that the risks were serious and any of them could stay back and no one would think less of them.
It was one of the women, he said, that was first to challenge him on it.
"In no uncertain terms, they were telling me to stop talking and get to the fight. And that is who the women of the United States military are," said Austin.
His remarks are in contrast to some[5] made by the man Trump has tapped to be Austin's successor to lead the Pentagon. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News co-host and former Army[6] National Guard[7] soldier, has made it clear that he believes men and women should not serve together in combat units[8].
A month ago, he told podcast host Shawn Ryan that, "I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective. Hasn't made us more lethal. Has made fighting more complicated."
Austin, a retired four-star general who has spent more than 40 years in the Army and commanded at every level, pushed back, saying he's seen incredibly capable and brave women fighting for their country in battle.
"So look, if I get a little fired up about this, it's just because this isn't 1950. It isn't 1948. It is 2024," said Austin. "And any military that turns away tough, talented patriots -- women or men -- is just making itself weaker and smaller. So enough already."
While never mentioning President-elect Donald Trump, Hegseth or the incoming administration, Austin also admonished the cadets to remember their sworn duty to defend the Constitution.
His remarks echoed others who have warned about the potential for Trump to try and use active-duty military troops to police the southern border, deport immigrants who don't have legal permanent status, and even on city streets to combat urban crime. And through his campaign, Trump has renewed his pledge to deploy troops[9] within the U.S. when he deems necessary.
During his first term, as riots against police brutality roiled the nation, Trump pushed to deploy[10] military personnel on Washington, D.C. street. Top military officers, such as then-Gen. Mark Milley, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, resisted those plans[11], including issuing a memo that stressed that every member of the military "swears an oath to support and defend the Constitution and the values embedded within it."
"We defend government of the people, by the people, and for the people -- and we do not bend on matters of honor, integrity, or law," Austin said at West Point. "We are here to protect our people, to defend our country, and to uphold our Constitution. And that is not negotiable."
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