Hegseth says the DOD does not do ‘climate change crap’

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear that the department’s focus is on warfighting and training, not on climate change initiatives. In response to a post by CNN’s Haley Britzky about the DOD and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cutting programs related to climate change, Hegseth emphasized that the DOD’s mission does not include dealing with climate change issues.

Britzky highlighted concerns raised by officials and experts that cutting climate programs in the Pentagon could impact military readiness and put troops at risk. CNN reached out to the Pentagon for more information on military readiness, but Pentagon Spokesperson John Ullyot made it clear that climate initiatives are not part of the DOD’s core mission.

Hegseth further reiterated that the DOD does not engage in “climate change crap” but rather focuses on essential tasks such as training and warfighting. The collaboration between DOGE, led by Elon Musk, and the DOD aims to reduce wasteful spending. Initial findings by DOGE pointed out millions of dollars allocated to various diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which were flagged as unnecessary distractions from the DOD’s core mission.

According to DOD spokesman Sean Parnell, these findings could potentially save $80 million in wasteful spending. The DOD is committed to working with DOGE to identify and eliminate unnecessary expenses, ensuring a more efficient use of resources. Many DOGE employees are veterans, bringing a unique perspective to the review process and aiding in identifying deficiencies in spending.

Hegseth emphasized the importance of removing distractions like DEI programs, woke culture, and climate change initiatives from the DOD’s agenda. These priorities are not aligned with the agency’s core mission of ensuring national security and military readiness. By working together with DOGE and other agencies, the DOD aims to streamline operations and prioritize essential tasks.

Overall, the DOD’s primary focus remains on preparing for potential threats and ensuring the safety and readiness of the military forces. By cutting unnecessary programs and expenses, the DOD can allocate resources more effectively and enhance its capabilities in defense and security operations.