Defense Secretary Hegseth denounces military inclusion policies in viral speech
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth publicly criticized past military inclusion and public health policies during a recent speech that has circulated widely on social media, marking a sharp departure from previous Department of Defense stances on diversity, climate policy, and pandemic response.
In the video clip, Hegseth states, “We are leaving wokeness and weakness behind,” before listing specific initiatives he says the Pentagon will no longer pursue. “No more pronouns, no more climate change obsession, no more emergency vaccine mandates, no more dudes in dresses,” he declared during the remarks.
The statement appears to signal a reversal of prior Department of Defense efforts that included policies supporting LGBTQ+ service members, environmental resilience initiatives, and mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations during the pandemic.
The speech has not been formally published by the Department of Defense, and the location and audience of the remarks have not been disclosed. The agency has not responded to requests for clarification or comment on the statements made.
Policy direction under review amid political shift
While the remarks reflect Secretary Hegseth’s previously stated positions, their explicit tone has drawn attention from both supporters and critics. The language contrasts with past Pentagon messaging that emphasized inclusivity and climate preparedness as integral to military readiness.
As of Tuesday, no formal policy documents have been released to indicate immediate regulatory changes to Department of Defense practices related to gender identity, environmental policy, or medical mandates.
The statements arrive amid broader political realignments and may signal a shift in federal defense priorities under the current administration.