The Department of Defense has become the latest agency to eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, along with race-based hiring practices and the promotion of left-wing ideologies, following President Donald Trump’s executive order banning DEI initiatives at the federal level.
No sooner than he was sworn in, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth immediately issued a Pentagon-wide directive to terminate all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices throughout all military departments and civilian DoD agencies.
“The President’s guidance (lawful orders) is clear: No more DEI at Dept. of Defense,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in an X post. “The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays.” He added that “those who do not comply will no longer work here.”
Hegseth, 44, was sworn in on Saturday morning after a contentious confirmation process, during which he faced numerous unsubstantiated or outright false allegations.
Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after three Republican Senators — Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — voted against his nomination.
“All praise and glory to God. His will be done, and we’re grateful to be here,” Hegseth said after being sworn in, going on to credit his wife as well. “And as I said in my hearing, it was Jesus and Jenny. I would not be here without you, sweetheart. Thank you so much.” He also thanked Trump for nominating him and sticking by him, as did Vance, despite the allegations.
Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Charles Ezell issued a memo last week to department and agency heads, notifying them that all government DEI offices must be closed by the end of the day on Wednesday. Employees in those offices were informed that they would be placed on paid leave.
There have already been reports that some federal agencies have attempted to dodge Trump’s order by renaming DEI departments and titles of the officials who headed them. Federal employees were asked to report any efforts to disguise DEI programs through the use of imprecise or coded language and titles…>>
