How cutting DEI programs affects military readiness

In his first two weeks back in office, President Donald Trump moved swiftly to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs across government agencies and eventually lay off federal DEI staff.

On Friday, hours before the start of Black History Month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared cultural awareness months "dead" at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Washington Week moderator Jeffrey Goldberg asked Nancy Youssef of the Wall Street Journal how those inside the Pentagon are feeling.

Youssef pointed out that the removal of DEI offices “had already started before the Trump administration came in.”

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 "actually required the military to get rid of DEI offices," Youssef said . The NDAA authorizes funding for the Defense Department each year.

At the same time, Youssef said she’s been hearing military leaders talk about the potential of Trump’s orders to affect unit cohesion and readiness.

“When you’re hearing troops start asking themselves, ‘Is my race, is my gender going to be used against me?’ that’s when you start to feel it,” Youssef said.

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Author: Washington Week PBS
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News post in at: February 3, 2025, 6:00 am.

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