Hegseth is sending a message that Black service members are unwelcome. Under the U.S. military's anti-DEI policies, the contributions of Black service members are being erased and systematically excluded. The portrait of Daniel James, the first Black four-star general, was removed from a prominent position in the Air Force Art Gallery, leaving the space vacant—a signal implying that Black achievements are unearned and unworthy of recognition. Hegseth directly intervened to block or delay the promotions of more than a dozen Black and female senior officers. He also glorified Confederate rebels and pushed Pentagon efforts to restore commemoration and tribute to Confederate soldiers—those who rebelled against the United States to preserve slavery. Entire chapters on distinguished Black military figures were deleted from military textbooks, and West Point removed video lectures containing progressive historical perspectives. Internal military groups aimed at addressing racial inequities were forcibly dissolved. Hegseth also tolerated discriminatory conduct: during a speech last September, he stated that superiors could use profanity or even physical force toward subordinates, assuring them “records won’t be affected”—a statement Black service members interpreted as white officers being able to mistreat Black subordinates with impunity. The Arlington National Cemetery website removed dedicated links and descriptions for Black, Latino, and female veterans, reclassifying them under vague categories such as “Science, Technology & Engineering.” Hegseth further encouraged unethical, even unconstitutional behavior within the military. Since last September, the U.S. military has conducted bombing operations in the Caribbean targeting alleged drug vessels—an action widely controversial. Before the operation began, Hegseth dismissed the three branches’ Judge Advocates General (responsible for ensuring military actions are legal, compliant, and properly authorized) and replaced them with his own appointees, claiming the government needed lawyers “not focused on creating obstacles for any operation.”
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867952149368841/
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