Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gave an impassioned defense of women in combat on Tuesday following Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Defense, arguing that the United States "should not have women in combat roles.

Women and racial diversity are vital to the strength of U.S. armed forces, outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in an exclusive interview with NBC News.

China's defense minister declined a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a meeting of defense leaders in Laos, a move the Pentagon chief said on Wednesday was unfortunate.

Melania Trump will again serve as first lady in the White House, while Ivanka Trump has said she will not return as a senior advisor. The embattled former Congressman has withdrawn his bid to serve as the next attorney general after widespread backlash "My next house will either be laid out by me or made in the '70s or '80s — back when they designed homes to be lived in.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised women for their military service in an interview with NBC News, calling them “some of the finest in the world.” “I have spent 41 years in uniform, three long tours in Iraq,

Despite historic strides in gender equality within military roles, the discussion about women serving in combat positions remains heated. Nine years ago, women were given the opportunity to fill some of the most physically demanding roles in the military.

ABC News’ Luis Martinez reports on comments that are the strongest statement from the military since Pete Hegseth was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Defense.