- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly attempting to block the promotion of four Army officers, two women and two Black men, to one-star general, according to a New York Times report.
- Hegseth allegedly removed their names from the promotion list himself after Army leaders, including Secretary Dan Driscoll, reportedly refused to do so, citing the officers' excellent records.
- Since becoming head of the Pentagon, Hegseth has sought to eliminate 'woke' policies such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing that all promotions should be based solely on merit.
- Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell denied the New York Times story, calling it 'fake news' and asserting that promotions under Hegseth are merit-based and unbiased.
- The report also details other instances of Hegseth's influence on military personnel, including the reassignment of several high-ranking female admirals and an alleged comment by his chief of staff regarding a Black woman officer's promotion.
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