It Is Happening Every Day, Every Where
The president also ordered the Pentagon to end diversity programs, reinstate many service members dismissed for refusing the coronavirus vaccine and create a new missile defense system.
“Those who do not comply will no longer work here,” Pete Hegseth said in a handwritten notice saying diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were not welcome at the Pentagon.
“Whatever is needed at the border will be provided,” Pete Hegseth, the new defense secretary, told reporters.
The new defense secretary’s goals run counter to the military’s apolitical tradition and efforts to build a force that mirrors America.
After being sworn-in by Vice President JD Vance, the Pentagon’s new leader addressed the Defense Department’s three million employees.
Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell voted against confirming Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary. To Capitol insiders, their decisions weren’t surprising.
The Department of Defense said this week that it would provide planes for deportation flights.
In 2017, Betsy DeVos barely survived her confirmation vote to become President Trump’s secretary of education.
With two G.O.P. senators opposed, Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s pick for defense secretary, can afford to lose only one more. If he is confirmed, it is likely to be by the smallest margin for that post in modern times.
For the last 50 years, almost every nominee to lead the Pentagon has been a consensus pick who drew lopsided margins of support in the Senate. Pete Hegseth’s nomination has been a notable exception.