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.

Trump's pick for secretary of defense said he expected “blowback” when giving his unvarnished views on women serving just days before getting the nod.