Overview

• During a Sept. 16 Senate Judiciary hearing, Sen. Mazie Hirono questioned a planned pull-up standard, saying many women cannot meet it due to physiological differences.
• Director Kash Patel affirmed the policy and called it necessary for field readiness, saying one pull-up is not harsh and noting medical exemptions.
• According to the FBI, starting in November 2025 the Physical Fitness Test will include a required pull-up, with a minimum of one for women and two to three for men.
• Republican lawmakers and conservative outlets highlighted Hirono’s remarks, with Sen. Katie Britt using them to argue for sex-based standards in arenas such as women’s sports.
• The pull-up rule is part of broader recruitment changes under Patel that also removed the college-degree requirement and shortened FBI Academy training from 18 to eight weeks.