Pete Hegseth Laughs at Hakeem Jeffries’ New Definition of DEI [WATCH]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back Sunday against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries after the New York Democrat disparaged him and other Trump administration officials in a social media video posted Saturday.

Jeffries referred to Hegseth and others as “Dumb Effing Individuals” — a pointed play on the acronym DEI, which stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The criticism came in response to the administration’s ongoing efforts to remove DEI-related policies and materials from the military, including guidance Hegseth recently issued targeting the U.S. Naval Academy’s library.

The outrageous Naval Academy book ban targets Maya Angelou and the Holocaust, but excludes Adolf Hitler.

This must be reversed immediately. pic.twitter.com/5jZ8Z3F3iG

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) April 12, 2025

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Appearing on Sunday Morning Futures with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Hegseth addressed Jeffries’ comments directly.

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“That’s how far they have fallen. It’s astonishing, not surprising,” Hegseth said.

“Of course, they don’t like the fact that we’re ripping DEI out of the military and making it colorblind and merit-based.”

He went on to say, “If their whole strategy is… minute-long videos on TikTok to call us names while we secure the southern border, kick out Chinese influence, revive the warrior culture inside our military, that’s why they lost in a historic fashion to President Trump last time, and their future looks bleak as well.”

Jeffries had publicly vowed to maintain pressure on officials involved in the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle outlined key updates on foreign policy and military strategy, including a recent agreement intended to block growing Chinese influence in the Panama Canal — an area of significant strategic concern.

In addition, Hegseth discussed President Donald Trump’s intensified focus on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, describing the president as “dead serious” about ensuring Iran is unable to threaten the United States or its allies.

The administration is also making major investments in defense innovation, according to Hegseth.

He pointed to the development of new technologies, such as the next-generation F-47 fighter jet, as part of the broader strategy to enhance military readiness and restore strength to the armed forces.

“We’re looking at all the ways in which our military academies educate and giving guidance to get rid of DEI, and I think the American people appreciate that,” Hegseth said.

The Pentagon, under the Trump administration, has taken multiple steps in recent weeks to implement a “colorblind and merit-based” approach across the military.

This includes reviewing training materials, academic curricula, and administrative protocols that include or promote DEI principles.

The administration has framed the removal of DEI as part of a broader mission to rebuild military effectiveness, streamline defense priorities, and focus on traditional readiness and deterrence strategies.

The clash between Jeffries and Hegseth reflects growing political tensions over the future direction of the U.S. military.

While Democratic leaders have defended DEI programs as necessary for inclusion and representation, the Trump administration maintains that such initiatives undermine merit, readiness, and cohesion among service members.

As the administration continues to roll back DEI programs and increase emphasis on combat readiness and strategic deterrence, officials like Hegseth have signaled that these changes are just the beginning of broader reforms aimed at restoring strength to U.S. defense institutions.

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