Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense would be following President Trump's orders immediately and end DEI programs.
The Department of Defense is the latest agency that is disbanding all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs following President Donald Trump's executive order terminating all federal DEI programs.
'The President’s guidance is clear: No more DEI at Dept. of Defense,' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in a post on X. In a handwritten note shared along with the post on X, Hegseth wrote: 'The Pentagon will comply, immediately. No exceptions, name-changes, or delays.' Hegseth added that 'those who do not comply will no longer work here.' WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., echoed Hegseth, writing: 'The best way to stop discriminating against people on the basis of race or gender is to stop discriminating against people on the basis of race or gender,' Kennedy wrote in a post on X. 'Let DEI die.' Hegseth, 44, was sworn in on Saturday morning after he secured his confirmation to lead the Pentagon on Friday after weeks of intense political drama surrounding his nomination and public scrutiny into his personal life. 'All praise and glory to God. His will be done and we're grateful to be here,' Hegseth said after taking the oath of office, surrounded by his wife and children. Hegseth is a former Minnesota National Guard officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and a former Fox News host. Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency , headed up by Elon Musk, reported that approximately $420 million in current/impending contracts, mainly focused on DEI initiatives, had also been canceled. On Inauguration Day, Trump signed an executive order that forced all DEI offices to close and placed all government workers in those offices on paid leave. TRUMP'S FEDERAL DEI PURGE PUTS HUNDREDS ON LEAVE, NIXES $420M IN CONTRACTS Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management Charles Ezell sent a memo to heads and acting heads of departments and agencies directing them that by the end of business on Jan. 22, they were to inform all agency employees of the DEI shutdown. In addition, they were instructed to tell workers directly involved in DEI to take down all DEI-related websites and social media accounts, cancel any related contracts or training, and ask employees to report any efforts to disguise DEI programs by using coded or imprecise language. The memo also directed the heads of agencies and departments that by noon on Jan. 23, they were to provide OPM with lists of all DEI offices, employees, and related contracts in effect as of Nov. 5, 2024. By Friday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m., agency heads were required to submit to OPM a written plan for executing a reduction-in-force action regarding DEI employees and a list of all contract descriptions or personnel position descriptions that were changed since Nov. 5, 2024, to obscure their connection to DEI programs. The president also signed an order making it 'the official policy of the U.S. government to only recognize two genders: male and female.' 3 IN 10 VOTERS THINK ENDING DEI PROGRAMS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, POLL SHOWS, AS FEDERAL DEADLINE LOOMS Trump issued two other executive actions targeting DEI — an executive order to end discrimination in the workplace and higher education through race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of DEI and a memo to eliminate a Biden administration policy that prioritized DEI hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration. In his executive order, Trump wrote that he sought to protect Americans from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. He said these civil-rights protections 'serve as a bedrock supporting equality of opportunity for all Americans' and that he 'has a solemn duty to ensure that these laws are enforced for the benefit of all Americans.' CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 'Yet today, roughly 60 years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, critical and influential institutions of American society, including the Federal Government, major corporations, financial institutions, the medical industry, large commercial airlines, law enforcement agencies, and institutions of higher education have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' or 'diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility' that can violate the civil-rights laws of this Nation,' the order reads. It adds that these 'illegal DEI and DEIA policies also threaten the safety of American men, women, and children across the Nation by diminishing the importance of individual merit, aptitude, hard work, and determination when selecting people for jobs and services in key sectors of American society, including all levels of government, and the medical, aviation, and law-enforcement communities. Prior to Trump's order, the FBI closed its DEI office in December. Fox News' Brooke Singman, Brie Stimson, Michael Dorgan and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Veterans to March in Support of Pete Hegseth's Defense Secretary ConfirmationTwo former Navy SEALs are organizing a march of hundreds of veterans to Washington, D.C. to show their support for Pete Hegseth's confirmation as Defense Secretary. The march is planned for Tuesday, the day of Hegseth's hearing before the Armed Services Committee.
Read more »
Pete Hegseth Faces Senate Scrutiny for Defense Secretary NominationPete Hegseth, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for Defense Secretary, faces tough questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee regarding his past comments and views on military issues. Hegseth's controversial opinions on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as his stance on women in combat, have sparked debate and scrutiny.
Read more »
Pete Hegseth's Defense Secretary Nomination Faces ScrutinyPete Hegseth, former Fox News host and author, is seeking to become the next Secretary of Defense. His nomination has been met with intense questioning from Senators regarding his past comments and personal conduct. Hegseth's views on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) in the military, his stance on women in combat roles, and allegations of sexual assault and infidelity have come under fire. He has defended himself, claiming to have softened his previous positions and emphasizing his commitment to military readiness and lethality.
Read more »
500 Navy SEALs to March in Support of Pete Hegseth's Defense Secretary NominationFive hundred Navy SEALs, veterans, and supporters are planning a march in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate their support for Pete Hegseth's nomination as Secretary of Defense. The march will take place on Tuesday, beginning at the Vietnam Memorial Wall and concluding near Capitol Hill.
Read more »
Trump's Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth: 'Incredibly Talented, Battle-Proven Leader'Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's nominee for defense secretary, is facing a Senate confirmation hearing amidst scrutiny over his qualifications. Military evaluations describe him as a 'battle-proven leader' but critics raise concerns about his management of veteran nonprofit funds, lack of recent military experience, and a sexual assault allegation.
Read more »
Veterans Rally for Pete Hegseth as Trump's Defense Secretary NomineeAs President Trump prepares to reverse Joe Biden's foreign policy, he needs a true warrior by his side. Pete Hegseth, a decorated veteran and former Fox News host, is President-elect Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary. His military evaluations, described as 'spectacular' and 'outstanding,' should put to rest past allegations against him. Veterans are rallying in support of Hegseth, emphasizing his battlefield experience and leadership skills.
Read more »