President Donald Trump’s nomination of Lt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga to head the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) has sparked criticism from some conservatives. This reaction comes particularly due to Braga’s emphasis on “woke” initiatives, especially in relation to military diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and LGBT matters.
On September 5, Trump announced Braga’s nomination for the position of commander. However, skepticism and concern have been brewing among conservatives about these DEI initiatives, particularly following this nomination. William Thibaud, involved with the Claremont Institute’s US military project, shared his disappointment after hearing from an active service member who expressed similar sentiments.
“Braga authored the ‘ARSOF’ report, which seemed aimed at critiquing Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators as biased and sexist,” Thibaud commented, noting that the report was later removed from the USASOC website.
The report’s intent was to explore the roles of women in the military and to dismantle barriers within USASOC. Braga himself expressed disappointment with the feedback he collected, which revealed some “overtly sexist feelings” among service members regarding the integration of women.
Some comments referenced in the report suggest that there are doubts about the physical and mental capabilities of women in roles traditionally filled by men. One comment bluntly stated, “Women have no place in their teams,” labeling them as disruptive elements to what is described as a “fully functional system.” This kind of discourse raises questions about the ongoing discussions about inclusivity in military settings.
USASOC has not provided any comments on the report or clarified who commissioned it. Thibaud criticized the notion that Braga would genuinely advocate for DEI given his past support of these policies.
Earlier this year, the popular social media account Libs of TikTok warned against Braga’s association with the Trump administration, highlighting the military’s incorporation of Pride Month imagery under Braga’s leadership. This included social media posts celebrating LGBTQ+ members.
A USASOC spokesperson mentioned that the acknowledgment of Pride Month aligned with Pentagon guidelines but did not confirm Braga’s involvement in these initiatives. Despite the attention the posts received, including hundreds of thousands of views, it’s unclear whether Braga directed these efforts.
The overarching goal of USASOC, according to internal memos, is to cultivate a diverse workforce to enhance operational effectiveness. These memos emphasize the necessity of tackling inequality and fostering a supportive environment, aligning with priorities set by the previous administration. However, it remains ambiguous whether Braga directly orchestrated recent initiatives or if they were instead inherited from higher-ups in the chain of command.
Requests for comment from the War Department regarding the broader implications of these initiatives were directed to the White House.
