Pentagon bracing for sweeping changes after Trump nominates Pete Hegseth for secretary
The Pentagon is preparing for significant policy changes as the incoming Trump administration takes office, with high-ranking officers potentially facing the chopping block. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, to lead the Defense Department. This unconventional choice has caused a stir within the defense industry.
One of the key changes expected under Hegseth’s leadership is the reversal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) accommodations and training within the military. Trump has made it clear that activities like sex changes and social justice seminars will no longer be tolerated within the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, or Marines. He has vowed to remove military leaders who have been involved in these initiatives.
Hegseth has been vocal about his plans to “clean house” of career officials at the Pentagon, including generals and high-level officers who have been part of the DEI efforts. He believes that a radical overhaul of senior leadership is necessary to ensure the readiness of the military to defend the nation and defeat its enemies. The transition team is even considering establishing a “warrior board” of retired senior military personnel to review and recommend the removal of unfit three- and four-star officers.
Another controversial move expected from the Trump administration is the reinstatement of a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. Trump had previously announced this ban in 2017, citing concerns about medical costs and disruption. The policy led to legal challenges and the discharge of transgender service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
The Pentagon is also likely to roll back a Biden-era policy that allowed troops to seek reimbursement for travel expenses if they needed to leave their stationed state for an abortion. Although this policy has been rarely used, conservatives have been pushing to block it since its adoption.
Additionally, the Trump administration is expected to undo the $114 million funding for DEI initiatives in 2024. Hegseth and other critics argue that DEI programs create divisions, grievances, and exclude those who do not conform to cultural ideologies. They believe that focusing on social justice training detracts from essential military training and readiness.
As the Pentagon braces for these sweeping changes, it remains to be seen how the military will adapt to the new leadership and policies. The Trump administration’s approach to defense and national security is likely to diverge significantly from the previous administration, setting the stage for a period of transition and transformation in the Department of Defense.
