Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made no secret of his disdain for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the military. 

Before President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Defense Department, Hegseth said the “DEI woke s*** has got to go.” In January, after he was confirmed by a 51-50 margin, Hegseth told Pentagon personnel that “diversity is our strength” is the “single dumbest phrase in military history.”