As Pete Hegseth continues to rally help for his nomination to guide the Division of Protection, a conservative analysis group has compiled a listing of “woke” senior officers they need him to sack ought to he be confirmed to guide the Pentagon.
In a letter obtained by Fox Information Digital, the American Accountability Basis (AAF) despatched a letter to Hegseth with a listing of 20 basic officers or senior admirals whom it says are excessively centered on Variety, Fairness and Inclusion (DEI) and different related left-wing initiatives. Eight of these 20 are ladies.
These on the record in lots of instances appear to be focused for public feedback they made both in interviews or at occasions on variety, and in some instances for retweeting posts that promote variety. AAF says that specializing in such insurance policies is an obstacle to nationwide safety, whereas some miliary leaders have expressed concern concerning the record.
DOZENS OF PROMINENT VETERANS SIGN ONTO LETTER SUPPORTING ‘OUTSTANDING’ HEGSETH NOMINATION AMID CONTROVERSIES
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to protection secretary, is seen earlier than a gathering with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in Hart constructing on Dec. 5. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photos, left, US Military, proper.)
“The woke takeover of the navy is a serious menace to our nationwide safety,” AAF President Thomas Jones wrote within the letter to Hegseth dated Tuesday and first printed by the New York Put up.
“As world tensions rise, with Iran on the march, Russia at conflict, and China within the midst of a large navy buildup, we can’t afford to have a navy distracted and demoralized by leftist ideology,” he added. “Those that had been accountable for these insurance policies being instituted within the first place have to be dismissed.”
The time period “woke” is usually utilized in reference to progressive, politically appropriate stances on race, gender ideology and different hot-button subjects.
The group posted on X that the woke leaders must be fired on day one. “Wokeness has no place within the navy,” the group wrote.
On Friday, the AAF doubled down on its place.
“Many do not wish to hear this, however it’s the reality: DEI within the navy goes to get folks killed. STOP IT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE,” AAF posted on X.
Hegseth, a former Minnesota Nationwide Guard officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has embraced Trump’s effort to finish packages that promote variety within the ranks and fireplace those that replicate these values. He has lengthy railed towards the navy embracing DEI insurance policies as an alternative of meritocracy, complaining it additionally diverts focus away from conflict preparedness.
TRUMP FLOATS DESANTIS AS POTENTIAL DEFENSE SECRETARY REPLACEMENT IF HEGSETH FALTERS
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be protection secretary, is joined by his spouse Jennifer Rauchet, as they stroll by the basement of the Capitol, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein)
If confirmed to the position, Hegseth could be accountable for 1.3 million active-duty service members and the almost 1 million civilians who work for the navy.
A few of these on the record embrace Air Pressure Col. Ben Jonsson, who penned an op-ed in July 2020 demanding his white colleagues “to present a rattling” and “handle our blind spots round race,” in line with the letter.
Additionally within the AAF crosshairs is Navy vice admiral Jeffery Hughes, who spoke at DEI summit in 2022 and underscored the significance of DEI recruiting “distinctive expertise.”
Air Pressure Maj. Gen. Elizabeth Arledge additionally made the record and was famous by AAF for making “woke posts” on her social media.
In a single put up, Arledge shared articles that featured “discussions of whiteness in org[anization] idea and the methods by which whiteness (verb) has turn out to be naturalized as the best in orgs.”
Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield was additionally listed and panned for a 2015 speech the place she bemoaned that lawmakers within the Home of Representatives on the time had been 80% males, proclaiming that “our variety is our power.”
Navy vice admiral Shoshana Chatfield was one in all 20 folks on the record. (Noam Galai/Getty Photos for Ellis Island Honors Society))
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump transition workforce, mentioned in a press release that “No coverage needs to be deemed official until it comes immediately from President Trump.”
A protection official who spoke on situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the record mentioned senior leaders are hoping that after Trump is sworn in, they are going to be capable to focus on the problem additional. They’re ready to offer further context to the incoming administration, the official informed The Related Press, which studies it isn’t publishing the names to guard service members’ privateness.
Former Protection Secretary Chuck Hagel mentioned Friday that the record would have “appreciable, huge and deep penalties.” He mentioned when navy members see folks singled out, they are going to begin specializing in their very own survival somewhat than the mission or their job.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
A number of sources confirmed to Fox Information that Trump is reportedly contemplating nominating Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as protection secretary rather than Hegseth amid allegations towards him.
However Hegseth disregarded the potential substitute, telling reporters that he was ready to combat.
“So long as Donald Trump needs me on this combat, I will be standing proper right here on this combat, preventing to convey our Pentagon again to what it must be,” he mentioned.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
READ THE LETTER BELOW. APP USERS CLICK HERE.
