Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly intervened to stop the promotions of several high-ranking Black and female officers. According to NPR, Hegseth blocked the promotions of four Army officers, including two Black men and two women, who were on track to become one-star generals. A U.S. official not authorized to speak publicly confirmed that Hegseth has been weeding out senior officers deemed ideologically incompatible.
Key Takeaways
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly intervened to stop the promotions of several high-ranking Black and female officers. According to multiple sources, at least six officers were removed from promotion lists.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked promotions of four Army officers, including two Black men and two women.
- A total of six officers' promotions were reportedly halted by Hegseth.
- Hegseth has conducted a major restructuring of the Pentagon, including widespread firings of senior military officials.
- Senator Jack Reed is investigating the allegations as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Per The Guardian, Hegseth asked Army leaders to remove the officers’ names from the promotion list, but after refusal, he removed them himself. This action is highly unusual and may be against military policy, which states that the defense secretary should approve or reject the entire list to keep the military’s officer corps from being politicized.
The Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell denied the reports, calling them "fake news" and stating that promotions are given based on merit. Senator Jack Reed, D-R.I., said he is looking into the allegations as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. If these reports are accurate, Reed stated that Hegseth's decision would be illegal and betray every principle of merit-based service.
Hegseth's tenure has been marked by his crusade against a culture he describes as "woke." According to The Guardian, he has reassigned and dismissed several high-ranking female officers, including Vice Admiral Yvette Davids and Adm. Linda Fagan. Hegseth also banned trans people from serving in the military.
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