Similarly, Hegseth said in a memo last week that transgender people would not be allowed to join the military and that the armed forces would stop facilitating gender transition procedures for service members.
Hegseth overcame significant hurdles on his way to confirmation, with serious doubt being shared by some senators over his qualifications and past behavior, including allegations of excessive drinking, financial mismanagement, and sexual assault — allegations he strenuously denied as “anonymous smears.” He also faced criticism for his previous comments that women shouldn’t serve in combat roles.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was booed and heckled by military families protesting his actions against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Around two dozen people who live at the U.S. military’s top European headquarters turned up, seemingly in protest at the Trump administration’s policy of dismantling DEI initiatives.
Protesters chant ‘DEI’ in apparent reference to ban enacted by Hegseth on some books in defense department schools.
