Pete Hegseth: The DoD Will No Longer Spend Time or Money on Identity Months

The Department of Defense announced Friday that it would no longer be recognizing or spending money on identity-focused months in order to focus on unity and the mission of the military.

The announcement comes as President Donald Trump has ordered all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives slashed from the government. In line with that direction, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that the department will move away from politics and focus solely on lethality.

“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” the DoD said Friday afternoon.

“Going forward, DoD Components and Military Departments will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months, including National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month,” the department added.