As Pete Hegseth continues to garner support for his nomination to lead the Pentagon, a conservative research group has compiled a list of “woke” senior officers they would like to see removed if he is confirmed to the Pentagon's top post. Summarized.
In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, the American Accountability Foundation (AAF) wrote to Mr. Hegseth, accusing him of placing too much emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other similar left-wing issues. It is said to have included a list of 20 officers and senior admirals. -Wing efforts. Eight of those 20 are women.
Those on the list often appear to have been the subject of interviews and public comments they have made at events about diversity, and in some cases have been the subject of retweets of posts promoting diversity. is. The AAF argues that such a focus on policy impedes national security, while some military leaders have expressed concerns about the list.
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President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is shown before a meeting with Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in the Hart Building on Dec. 5. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, Getty Images, left, US Army, right.)
“A woke military takeover is a serious threat to national security,” AAF President Thomas Jones wrote in a letter to Hegseth dated Tuesday and first announced by the AAF. new york post.
“With global tensions rising, with Iran advancing, Russia at war, and China undergoing a major military buildup, the military cannot afford to be distracted and demoralized by leftist ideology. ' he added. “Those responsible for introducing these policies in the first place must be removed.”
The term “woke” is often used to refer to progressive, politically correct positions on race, gender ideology, and other hot topics.
The group posted on X that woke leaders need to be fired on the first day. “There is no room for awakening in the military,” the group wrote.
On Friday, the AAF further strengthened its position.
“Many people don't want to hear this, but it's true. Military DEI is going to kill people. Stop it now before it's too late,” AAF posted on X.
Hegseth, a former Minnesota National Guard soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, supports President Trump's efforts to promote diversity in the ranks and end programs that fire people who reflect those values. He has long railed against the military's use of DEI policies rather than meritocracy, complaining that it also diverts focus from war preparedness.
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President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is accompanied by his wife, Jennifer Laschet, as they walk through the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
If confirmed to the role, Hegseth would be responsible for 1.3 million active duty military personnel and nearly 1 million civilians working in the military.
The list also includes Air Force Col. Ben Johnson, who wrote an op-ed in July 2020 calling on his white colleagues to “not care” and “address their racial blind spots,” according to the letter. .
Also in the AAF's sights is Vice Admiral Jeffrey Hughes. He spoke at the 2022 DEI Summit, emphasizing the importance of DEI hiring “exceptional talent.”
Air Force Maj. Gen. Elizabeth Arledge is also on the list, and received attention from the AAF for her “awake posts” on social media.
In one post, Arledge shared an article featuring “debates about whiteness within organizations.”[anization] theory and how whiteness (verb) is naturalized as an organizational ideal. ”
Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield is also on the list, and her 2015 speech drew attention. She lamented that 80% of members of the House of Representatives at the time were men and declared, “Our country's diversity is our strength.”
Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield was one of 20 people on the list. (Noam Garay/Getty Images, Ellis Island Honor Society))
“No policy should be considered official unless it comes directly from President Trump,” Caroline Levitt, spokeswoman for President Trump's transition team, said in a statement.
A defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the list's sensitivity, said senior leaders expected to be able to discuss the issue further once President Trump takes office. They are prepared to provide additional context to the incoming administration, officials told The Associated Press. The soldier's name is not being released to protect his privacy.
Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday that the list would have “quite far-reaching and serious implications.” He said when military personnel see people isolated, they will begin to focus on their own survival rather than the mission or job.
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Sources confirmed to Fox News that Trump is considering nominating Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, to replace Hegseth as defense secretary amid the allegations against Trump. It is reported that there are.
But Hegseth dismissed potential replacements and told reporters he was ready to fight.
“As long as Donald Trump wants me to be in this fight, I'm going to stand right here in this fight and fight to get the Department of Defense back on track,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Please read the letter below. app user click here.
