Pentagon chief calls ‘Diversity is our strength’ the ‘dumbest phrase’ in military history
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has criticized the phrase “diversity is our strength,” labeling it the “dumbest phrase” in military history. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has voiced strong opposition to diversity initiatives within the military, labeling the notion that “diversity is our strength” as the “dumbest” phrase in military history. During a speech to Pentagon staff, he made it clear that his leadership will prioritize unity and fairness, while discontinuing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“In this department, we will treat everyone equally,” Hegseth stated to the audience at 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.”
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and veteran of the US National Guard, is advocating for the cessation of DEI initiatives, which he believes are counterproductive. He also announced the end of identity month celebrations, including Black History Month and Women’s History Month, arguing that these activities “put one group ahead of another” and “erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.”
In addition to addressing DEI issues, Hegseth discussed global security challenges, citing the recent tumultuous US exit from Afghanistan, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel as indicators of diminished American strength.
“Chaos happens when the perception of American strength is not complete,” he stated. “And so we aim to reestablish that deterrence.”
He also committed to a thorough review of the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, which saw the rapid collapse of the US-backed government in Kabul. This withdrawal, initially orchestrated by President Donald Trump, ended a two-decade military engagement that yielded significant costs in both financial and human terms. Hegseth emphasized the need for accountability regarding the chaotic exit, which resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and left many allied Afghans behind.
“We are going to look back at what happened in Afghanistan and hold people accountable,” he remarked. “Not for retribution, but to understand what went wrong and why there was no accountability for it.”
Former President Trump has been an outspoken critic of DEI initiatives since taking office on January 20. His administration implemented various measures to roll back protections for transgender individuals and eliminate these initiatives across the federal government. In 2017, Trump prohibited transgender individuals from serving in the military, a ban that was reversed by President Biden shortly after he took office in 2021. Trump reinstated the ban during his second term, while Biden had previously repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 2011 to allow gay and lesbian service members to serve openly. Prior to 2016, gender dysphoria was still a basis for involuntary discharge.
Currently, all branches of the armed forces are experiencing significant recruitment shortfalls. Republican lawmakers have attributed these challenges to the Pentagon emphasizing diversity over military readiness.
A 2021 report by the Senate Armed Services Committee, commissioned by Republicans, revealed that the US Navy was reportedly prioritizing “wokeness” and diversity over effective military operations.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
“In this department, we will treat everyone equally,” Hegseth stated to the audience at 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.”
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and veteran of the US National Guard, is advocating for the cessation of DEI initiatives, which he believes are counterproductive. He also announced the end of identity month celebrations, including Black History Month and Women’s History Month, arguing that these activities “put one group ahead of another” and “erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.”
In addition to addressing DEI issues, Hegseth discussed global security challenges, citing the recent tumultuous US exit from Afghanistan, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel as indicators of diminished American strength.
“Chaos happens when the perception of American strength is not complete,” he stated. “And so we aim to reestablish that deterrence.”
He also committed to a thorough review of the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, which saw the rapid collapse of the US-backed government in Kabul. This withdrawal, initially orchestrated by President Donald Trump, ended a two-decade military engagement that yielded significant costs in both financial and human terms. Hegseth emphasized the need for accountability regarding the chaotic exit, which resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and left many allied Afghans behind.
“We are going to look back at what happened in Afghanistan and hold people accountable,” he remarked. “Not for retribution, but to understand what went wrong and why there was no accountability for it.”
Former President Trump has been an outspoken critic of DEI initiatives since taking office on January 20. His administration implemented various measures to roll back protections for transgender individuals and eliminate these initiatives across the federal government. In 2017, Trump prohibited transgender individuals from serving in the military, a ban that was reversed by President Biden shortly after he took office in 2021. Trump reinstated the ban during his second term, while Biden had previously repealed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 2011 to allow gay and lesbian service members to serve openly. Prior to 2016, gender dysphoria was still a basis for involuntary discharge.
Currently, all branches of the armed forces are experiencing significant recruitment shortfalls. Republican lawmakers have attributed these challenges to the Pentagon emphasizing diversity over military readiness.
A 2021 report by the Senate Armed Services Committee, commissioned by Republicans, revealed that the US Navy was reportedly prioritizing “wokeness” and diversity over effective military operations.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
