Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked promotions for military officers who supported Covid-19 vaccines and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, according to a new report.
Citing three military officials, MS NOW reported that Hegseth sidestepped the Pentagon’s merit-based promotion process in favor of new criteria that disproportionately affected women and people of color.
“I was like ‘you gotta be kidding me’,” a senior official said. A Pentagon spokesperson, meanwhile, told The Independent that the department remains “committed to ensuring that all advancement is merit-based.”
Throughout his 21-month tenure, Hegseth has reshaped the Pentagon’s senior leadership, ousting dozens of generals and admirals. In September, he announced plans to reduce their ranks by 20 percent, adding that “no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps” would be tolerated.
The former Fox News host, who has played a key role in the unpopular Iran war, has faced mounting pressure since Democrats reclaimed control of both chambers of Congress in the midterms. Democrats have vowed to pursue his impeachment, while some Republicans have also voiced dissatisfaction with his leadership.
An unnamed senior official told MS NOW that the defense secretary’s office led a “planned and deliberate process” that used internet searches to vet those being considered for promotion as flag and general officers. Instructions on the new criteria were relayed by phone rather than put in writing.
At least 12 officers had their promotions withheld.
Their files flagged activities such as allowing a celebration featuring rainbow flags or a Pride Month event, serving as a diversity liaison officer, participating in a Minority Aviation Panel at the United States Naval Academy or being quoted in an article about the importance of diversity.
Others were flagged for disciplining an officer who refused a Covid-19 vaccine, speaking about the importance of vaccination or encouraging sailors to get vaccinated.
Some of the officers held advanced degrees from institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; others had served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The blocked promotions could end their careers in the armed forces. Most will be forced into retirement if they do not advance to the rank for which they were selected within a period of 18 months, the outlet reported.
Military officials said the intervention by Hegseth’s office may have been illegal.
When reached by The Independent, the Pentagon provided a statement attributed to spokesman Sean Parnell.
“The Secretary of War is committed to ensuring that our Military’s most senior leaders are committed to warfighting, lethality, and dominance in combat,” Parnell said. “We are reviving the warrior ethos and are stronger and more focused than ever.”
“Military officers serve at the pleasure of the President and the Secretary, and the Department is committed to ensuring that all advancement is merit-based so that only the best and most qualified gain the privilege of leading our Warfighters in advancing the National Defense Strategy,” he said, adding that Hegseth “will not retreat from the historic transformation he has undertaken.”
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