Hegseth Blocks Black Officers’ Promotions

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire for reportedly blocking the promotion of two Black Army officers to the rank of one-star general. This move comes as the U.S. military’s leadership under the Trump administration remains overwhelmingly white, and critics are labeling the actions as blatant racism and misogyny.

According to The New York Times, Hegseth unilaterally removed the officers’ names from the promotion list, overriding previous resistance from senior Army leaders like Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll. Two women were also removed from the list, though it’s questioned whether Hegseth possessed the authority to make such unilateral decisions.

Targeting Black Servicemembers?

The promotion list reportedly includes about three dozen officers, the majority of whom are white men. This decision follows a pattern of actions by Hegseth and the Trump administration that military and veteran advocates argue specifically target Black servicemembers. These include the firing of high-ranking officers like former Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. and the reversal of diversity and inclusion policies, such as a grooming waiver for Black men with certain skin conditions.

Ed Anderson, an Air Force veteran and organizer for Common Defense, expressed deep concern, stating, ‘I would not encourage a person of color to go into service right now.’ He drew parallels to the racism experienced in the 1970s, noting, ‘I see it rearing its head again.’

Allegations of Racial Bias in D.C. Appointments

The Times also reported that Hegseth’s chief of staff, Ricky Buria, allegedly attempted to block Maj. Gen. Antoinette R. Gant from commanding the Military District of Washington. Buria reportedly told Army Secretary Driscoll that President Trump would not want a Black female officer appearing alongside him at military events. Although Buria denies this claim, General Gant was eventually installed in the role and promoted to a two-star rank.

Anderson criticized the alleged efforts to sideline General Gant, comparing it to a “KKK hood and robe” while denying racism. He asserted that these actions, along with overturning policies from the Obama and Austin administrations, clearly indicate a racial motivation.

A Shift from ‘Wokeness’ to ‘War Department’

Hegseth, backed by President Trump’s focus on dismantling racial equity initiatives, has openly criticized what he terms a culture of “wokeness” within the military. In a September 2025 meeting with top military leaders, Hegseth declared an end to “identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, climate change worship, division, distraction, or gender delusions,” renaming the Department of Defense the “Department of War.”

This approach starkly contrasts with the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts. In 2020, President Biden appointed General Lloyd Austin as Defense Secretary, the first African-American to lead the U.S. military. Biden and Austin aimed to diversify military leadership, recognizing that over 40% of active-duty forces are people of color and emphasizing the need for leadership that reflects this diversity.