Duckworth is an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient who was one of the first women to fly combat missions as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. When her helicopter was hit by a grenade in 2004, she lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm, NewsNation partner The Hill reports.

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.

Hegseth, Trump's pick for Defense secretary, told a podcast host last week that “we should not have women in combat roles.”