In a bold address at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the military’s emphasis on diversity, labeling the phrase “diversity is our strength” as “the single dumbest phrase in military history.” He emphasized that true strength lies in unity and shared purpose, irrespective of individual backgrounds.
Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News personality, has swiftly moved to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Department of Defense. He argues that such programs are divisive and detract from the military’s core mission. Under his leadership, the Pentagon has ceased identity-based celebrations, such as Black History Month and Women’s History Month, asserting that these efforts can erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.
Reflecting on recent global events, Hegseth pointed to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Hamas’ attacks on Israel as incidents that have eroded the perception of American strength. He emphasized the need to reestablish deterrence and restore America’s standing on the global stage.
Looking ahead, Hegseth announced plans to attend a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, where he intends to urge allied nations to increase their defense spending and strengthen their military capabilities. He also pledged to hold individuals accountable for the failures in Afghanistan, aiming to understand what went wrong and ensure such mistakes are not repeated.
In his concluding remarks, Hegseth underscored the importance of focusing on meritocracy, accountability, and readiness within the military. He stated that providing service members with equal opportunities to excel will help maintain the U.S. military’s status as the most formidable fighting force in history.
.@SecDef Pete Hegseth: “The single dumbest phrase in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength.’ I think our strength is our unity. Our strength is our shared purpose.” pic.twitter.com/xgXobOndeo
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 7, 2025