The Department of War rejected claims Thursday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth targeted women and Black military officers in promotion decisions, with Pentagon officials asserting that all personnel actions are merit-based and not driven by identity.
The denial came after Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a retired Navy captain, accused Hegseth of systematically removing high-ranking officers because of their race or gender, citing the removal of Gen. CQ Brown, the former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, and Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement: “Military promotions are given to those who have earned them. The Department will never consider the color of a service member’s skin or their gender as a factor in promotions.” Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez added, “Anyone who has an issue with merit-based promotions should reconsider their values.”
Kelly’s allegations stem from a pattern of promotion interventions dating back to March 2026, when Hegseth removed two Black and two female Army officers from a one-star promotion list—a move the New York Times described as “exceedingly rare.” In June 2026, Hegseth blocked promotions of seven senior Navy officers, mostly women or people of color, according to reporting at the time.
The removals prompted concerns from military officials and lawmakers. Kelly told Katie Couric that Hegseth’s actions would deprive the military of experienced leaders and discourage women and minority officers from continuing their service. “We’re losing a generation of leaders because there will be women and Black people that’ll say, ‘Well, I don’t feel like I have opportunity here anymore,'” Kelly said.
Hegseth has consistently framed his approach as a return to meritocracy. In a February 2025 address, he called “diversity is our strength” the “single dumbest phrase in military history.” By May 2025, a Pentagon task force confirmed the Defense Department’s elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs department-wide under his direction.
The Pentagon did not disclose specific rationales for the officer removals, though military officials at the time questioned whether women and minority officers had been singled out because of their identities. Hegseth has maintained that promotions should be determined by performance rather than identity, describing identity-based advancement as “toxic leadership” in a September 2025 address to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
Trump dismissed Brown in February 2025 and selected retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to replace him. Hegseth separately requested nominees to replace Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chair of Staff Gen. Jim Slide, and the judge advocate general of the Army, Navy, and Air Force during the broader Pentagon leadership overhaul.
The dispute reflects a broader ideological split over military leadership selection. Supporters of Hegseth’s approach argue that merit-based promotion strengthens military readiness, while critics contend that removing qualified officers based on their demographics undermines the military’s leadership bench and sends a signal that women and minority officers are not welcome in senior roles.
Sources
- Fox News Digital — Pentagon statement rejecting Sen. Kelly’s allegations of targeting women and Black officers, with quotes from Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell and Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez.
- New York Times — Reporting on Hegseth’s removal of two Black and two female Army officers from a one-star promotion list in March 2026, described as “exceedingly rare.”
- Associated Press — Reporting on Hegseth’s blocking of Navy officer promotions in June 2026, including three women and two Black men.
- Reuters — Hegseth’s February 2025 statement calling “diversity is our strength” the “single dumbest phrase in military history.”
- 19th News — Reporting on Hegseth’s September 2025 address describing identity-based advancement as “toxic leadership.”
- War.gov (Department of War) — May 2025 announcement of Pentagon task force confirming elimination of DEI programs department-wide.
