Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs exposes Pete Hegseth's anti-trans hypocrisy during embarrassing House hearing

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth found himself on the defensive Thursday as California Democratic U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs used a House Armed Services Committee hearing to expose what she demonstrated is the hypocrisy of the Trump administration's purge of transgender service members—many of whom are among the highest-rated troops in the U.S. military. Video of the interaction has gone viral online.
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Marking National Women Veterans Day, Jacobs, who represents one of the largest military communities in San Diego, opened her remarks by highlighting the exemplary records of three women in uniform: a major responsible for advanced combat training, an aviator with more than 50 combat missions, and an ROTC instructor rated as one of the top noncommissioned officers in her command. All three, she noted, had received the highest marks from their commanding officers in recent months.
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Hegseth applauded their records—until Jacobs revealed they are transgender women.
"I would commend the major, the aviator, and the instructor for their service," Hegseth said.
'You are actually kicking out these three highly qualified service members solely because of their identity,' Jacobs explained. 'You are the one injecting culture wars into the military, and it's at the detriment of our military readiness and national security.'
Seemingly caught off guard, Hegseth responded dismissively. 'These are men who think they're women,' he said, claiming gender dysphoria poses a mental health risk that undermines military performance. Jacobs was quick to shut that down. 'These are women,' she said. 'I'm happy to educate you on trans issues at another time.'
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The exchange comes as the Pentagon carries out a sweeping purge of transgender troops under a May 15 directive from Hegseth's office. As of June 6, all service members with a current or prior diagnosis of gender dysphoria face involuntary separation unless they obtain a rare, restrictive, and essentially unobtainable waiver—one that requires them to deny their identity and abstain from accessing any gender-affirming care.
The result has been a wave of forced exits, with troops being discharged under codes commonly used for misconduct—damaging their careers and benefits. Legal and advocacy groups argue that the policy is discriminatory, dangerous, and unfounded.
'There's nothing voluntary about forced separation,' said Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLAD Law, which is representing transgender people who are suing the government.
Related: Meet the transgender Army lieutenant who is challenging Donald Trump's military ban
As The Advocate has reported, some of those affected include West Point graduate and Bronze Star recipient Maj. Erica Vandal, transgender Navy aviator Cmdr. Emily Shilling, Second Lt. Nicolas Talbott, and Airman Clayton McCallister, a recent basic training graduate who ranked at the top of his class. All are plaintiffs in federal lawsuits against the administration, arguing that the ban violates their constitutional rights and undermines the very readiness the Pentagon claims to protect.
On Thursday, Jacobs zeroed in on the inconsistency in Hegseth's policy: if merit truly mattered, she argued, these troops would be retained—not expelled. 'Wouldn't that show up in their fit reps?' she asked, referring to the fitness reports from commanders that praised their leadership, skill, and service.
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Despite efforts by Senate Democrats led by Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran who lost both legs in war, to halt the policy before the Pentagon began implementing the separations. Some service members have opted to retire early to protect their benefits. Others are being pushed out against their will.
'I thought I had to prove that trans people could serve,' McCallister told The Advocate last week. 'But we've already proven that, over and over. The military just doesn't want to see it.'