US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Opposes Diversity Programs in Military

2025-02-11 06:30:21

(MENAFN) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized diversity initiatives within the armed forces on Friday, calling the phrase “diversity is our strength” the “dumbest” in military history. Speaking to Pentagon staff, he vowed that under his leadership, the focus would shift to unity and fairness, while eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

“In this department, we will treat everyone equally,” Hegseth said to the audience in the Pentagon auditorium. “We will treat everyone with fairness. We will treat everyone with respect, and we will judge you as an individual by your merit and by your commitment to the team and the mission.”

A former Fox News host and US National Guard veteran, Hegseth has taken steps to end DEI programs, which he believes foster division. He has also canceled identity-based observances like Black History Month and Women’s History Month, asserting that such initiatives “put one group ahead of another” and undermine camaraderie, ultimately threatening the military’s ability to perform its mission.

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