Pete Hegseth removes all women and some Black service members from navy promotion list
Defense secretary’s latest interposition resulted in all-male, overwhelmingly white picks for promotion to admiralty
TL;DR
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly removed nine officers from a Navy promotion list, including women and Black service members.
- The revised list resulted in 22 nominees for one-star admiral, described as all-male and overwhelmingly white.
- This action is seen as extending the Trump administration's push to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the military.
- A Navy source stated officials were confident in the original list, and Hegseth provided no explanation for the removals.
- The Pentagon denied that race or gender were factors, asserting that promotions are based on merit.
- Hegseth has previously expressed opposition to diversity and 'woke' initiatives in the armed services.
- The intervention is considered unusual, as it involves Hegseth meddling on an individual basis rather than an up-or-down vote.
- The article notes parallels with a similar alleged intervention in an Army promotion list in March.
- Hegseth has previously blocked promotions or reassigned senior military officers, many of whom were women or Black.