WASHINGTON — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calling him “an unqualified man in his role” who feels threatened by capable women. The comments came in response to reports that Hegseth has blocked or delayed the promotions of nearly 40 senior military officers, including women of color selected by service review boards. When asked about the refusals, Ocasio-Cortez said: “He’s an unqualified man in his role, so of course he’s threatened by women who are twice as good as he is.” Hegseth, a combat veteran and former Fox News host, was confirmed as secretary of defense in January 2025 by a narrow 51-50 Senate vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking ballot. He has emphasized combat readiness and has publicly questioned diversity initiatives in the military. Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups have accused the Pentagon under Hegseth of sidelining qualified officers based on race and gender. The Defense Department has not issued a detailed public response to the specific promotion delays cited in the reports. The exchange highlights ongoing partisan divides over military personnel policy nearly 18 months into the Trump administration. Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks circulated widely on social media, drawing both praise from progressive supporters and criticism from Republicans who defended Hegseth’s leadership and record of service.
