New Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth Pledges to Eliminate DEI Initiatives from the Department of Defense

January 27, 2025 TruthUSA

The previous host of Fox News and a distinguished U.S. Army veteran was approved by a narrow margin last week.

Recently appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon will be implementing a mandate to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies from his department.

In a post on X over the weekend, Hegseth stated: “The President’s guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at [the Department of Defense]. The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays.”

This decision is part of a broader initiative led by President Donald Trump to eliminate DEI from federal government branches, asserting that these policies are discriminatory and unjust. While the president had signed an order to eliminate DEI personnel across the federal government, various agencies and staff have received communications from their department heads to identify any DEI divisions that may have recently undergone name changes.

This initiative also aligns with a growing trend among large corporations and organizations to scale back DEI policies in recent months. Just last week, retail giant Target announced it had achieved its goals and would discontinue certain initiatives, becoming the latest major corporation to do so, as reported in news.

While speaking to reporters on Monday, Hegseth mentioned that forthcoming orders from Trump would include eliminating DEI from the Pentagon, as well as reinstating troops who had been dismissed “due to COVID mandates” in previous years, and creating an “Iron Dome for America.” During the pandemic, the Department of Defense (DOD) had implemented mandates that required troops to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or face suspension, although exemptions for religious and medical reasons were provided.

“This is happening quickly,” he affirmed, indicating that he would ensure the Pentagon acts “rapidly” in executing Trump’s orders once they are received.

Explaining his perspective, Hegseth expressed, “Every moment that I’m here, I’m thinking about the men and women” stationed at U.S. military bases and units around the globe.

“The lawful orders of the president of the United States will be executed in this Defense Department—swiftly and without excuse,” he declared.

Those statements were made as he arrived at the Pentagon for his first day at the position, having been confirmed as defense secretary by the Senate in a 51–50 vote.

On January 24, Vice President JD Vance attended the Senate to assist Hegseth’s confirmation after a 50–50 deadlock in the chamber. Three Republican senators joined all Democrats in opposing Hegseth, a decorated veteran and Fox News host.

The three GOP senators who voted against him were Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

He was officially sworn in on Saturday by Vance, and in a message to the military emphasized the importance of “restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and re-establishing deterrence.”

“We will collaborate with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific posed by Communist China, while also supporting the president’s priority to end wars responsibly and shift focus to key threats,” he stated.

In comparison, President Joe Biden’s defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, was confirmed with a 93–2 vote in 2021, whereas Jim Mattis, Trump’s first defense secretary during his initial administration, was confirmed with a 98–1 vote in 2017.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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