Hegseth Calls Out One of the Dumbest Phrases in Military History [WATCH]

The Pentagon is undergoing a major shift in priorities as the Defense Department moves away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, according to Pete Hegseth.

Speaking on Fox News with Jesse Watters, Hegseth made it clear that DEI is being eliminated in favor of a merit-based and color-blind approach, with a renewed focus on war-fighting readiness and national defense.

Jesse Watters opened the discussion by asking, “What’s happening with DEI? How’s that going at the Defense Department?”

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Hegseth did not mince words in his response, making it clear that the Biden-era DEI agenda is being dismantled.

“Well, DEI is not going well at the Defense Department, because it’s dead,” he stated. “The President said in his inaugural we will be merit-based and color blind, and that is the case at the Defense Department.”

Hegseth explained that the Pentagon is fully committed to eradicating DEI policies.

“DEI is going to be ripped out, root and branch, because we want everyone treated equally with high standards and held accountable with war-fighting, lethality, and readiness front and center,” he said.

Hegseth criticized the idea that diversity should be the primary focus of military effectiveness, calling it one of the “dumbest phrases in military history.”

“We don’t have time for emphasizing differences,” he said.

“Jesse, one of the dumbest phrases in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength.’ Our diversity is not our strength. Our unity and our shared purpose is our strength.”

He made it clear that the Pentagon is now focused on its core mission—defending the nation—without distractions from politically motivated policies.

“In our pen, the Pentagon is excited to get back to that core mission,” Hegseth said.

“It’s happening rapidly. The services are responding, and those that don’t want to respond can work somewhere else.”

Hegseth emphasized that the military is moving forward without DEI, making it clear that the policy will not return.

“So diversity, equity, inclusion will not be a part of the Defense Department,” he stated. “Not a minute longer.”

“One of the dumbest phrases in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength,’” says @SecDef Pete Hegseth.

“Our diversity is NOT our strength — our unity and our shared purpose is our strength.” pic.twitter.com/Qpl47jLET8

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 30, 2025

The shift marks a stark contrast from the previous administration’s focus on DEI initiatives within the military.

With leadership prioritizing combat effectiveness, the Pentagon is signaling a firm departure from social policy experiments in favor of mission readiness.

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