When Elisa Smithers was deployed to Iraq in 2005, there was a ban on women serving in ground combat operations. She now fears the progress made for women in combat since then will be reversed after President-elect Donald Trump announced Pete Hegseth this week as his pick for secretary of defense – a Fox News host and Army veteran who has criticized efforts to allow women into combat roles.

Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary nominee, heavily covered Edward Gallagher's case at its height through his role at Fox News.

The choice of the Fox News host and veteran was outside the norm. But he was a dedicated supporter of President-elect Donald J. Trump during his first term.

In picking Fox News Channel host Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense, President-elect Donald Trump has selected a military veteran and popular conservative media personality with a large fo

Hegseth has laid down markers on his agenda for running the Pentagon: firing generals who promote “woke” military policies, eliminating combat roles for women and loosening reins on troops conduct in combat.

Surprise and Questions Greet Trump's Defense Secretary Pick By Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Pete Hegseth as U.S. defense secretary was met on Wednesday with surprise at the Pentagon and bewilderment among some European allies,

Get the latest news on the transition to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress.

The 44-year old former FOX host is one of Trump's most surprising picks as he fills out his cabinet ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration.

It could also set up a collision course between Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General C.Q. Brown, a former fighter pilot with command experience