Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s crusade to purge women and people of color from our Armed Forces has never been subtle.
But today, a New York Times exposé revealed exactly how far he’s gone to dismantle the careers and achievements of our finest servicemen and women.
More than a dozen military insiders — both active duty and those already purged — spoke to the Times anonymously to unmask a horrific ongoing attack.
They detailed a process used by Hegseth and his team to halt senior officer advancements for reasons completely unrelated to merit, job performance, or fighting wars.
Hegseth’s efforts are part of a quest to advance his white-and-male centered worldview, facts, history, and actual service be damned.
In the absence of any such evidence, insiders confirmed that he has used his position to withhold promotions from qualified, decorated veterans. The Times cited several enraging examples:
• Last fall, Hegseth ordered Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll to remove two Black and two female officers from a 29-person promotion list. Driscoll repeatedly refused, citing their decades of exemplary service. In March, Hegseth bypassed him, removed their names, and sent the modified list to the White House.
• In total, Hegseth has removed 32 officers from Air Force and Navy one- and two-star promotion lists. He also pulled the only Black officer and the only female officer from a Marine Corps list, leaving their promotions in limbo.
• Vice Adm. Sara Joyner, a highly decorated three-star fighter pilot, saw her advancement stalled over a 2021 Navy recruiting ad where she said, "I’m not just a girl with a dream. I’m a sailor with one." Hegseth deemed the line a "big problem." Joyner has since retired.
• Rear Adm. Stephen D. Barnett was recommended for a promotion after successfully managing the aftermath of a massive Navy fuel spill in Hawaii. Hegseth blocked his advancement after Barnett participated in a Navy-sponsored Pride event back in 2018.
It is an outrage to watch a media personality whose greatest battles have been with hangovers intentionally harm the careers of people who risked everything to keep America safe. Hegseth’s actions are insult to all who have served and a risk to national security.
[Image: REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov]
In light of Donald Trump’s INSULT to the Prime Minister of Italy and the entire country, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani just CANCELLED Italy’s planned trip to the U.S.
Here are Italian PM Meloni's remarks about Trump, translated to English:
"So certain things deserve an immediate response. Donald Trump's statements are completely made up. I am frankly stunned.
I don't know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his own allies. It's not the first time this has happened. After all, I can only say it's a shame he doesn't show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, with leaders with whom instead he proves to be much more accommodating.
But he must remember one thing: Italy and I never beg. "
Dear World leaders:
Do you see how PM Meloni deals with lying ass trump here?
"I am shocked by Trump’s utterly fabricated words."
She didn't use profanity, or insult him. She didn't have to. She called out his bullshit.
Stop letting him LIE about you.
🚨TRUMP’S IRAN DEAL BLOWS UP:
Iran has CLOSED the Strait of Hormuz again and suspended further talks, just days after Trump claimed victory. Senator Mark Warner saw it coming:
“Even Trump can’t sell this as a win for our country… This will be viewed as a historic blunder.”
By taking ZERO shit from the most repulsive misogynist, bully, and pedophile on the planet — Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni just become a heroine around the world.
BREAKING: Italy's deputy PM and foreign minister Antonio Tajani just CANCELLED his planned diplomatic trip to Washington on monday, declaring that Trump's "serious and offensive words" directed at the prime minister "offend all of Italy."
This comes after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni TORCHED Donald Trump after he claimed she “begged” him for a photo at the G7 and that he only took it because he “felt sorry for her.”
The Italian PM was wondering.
"I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his own allies; it’s not the first time this happens."
She went on saying, "I can only say that I’m sorry he doesn’t show the same determination with the enemies of the West, with the enemies of the United States, whose leaders he instead shows himself to be much more accommodating towards."
Italy's prime minister is a boss lady.
🚨 TRUMP SPARKS DIPLOMATIC CRISIS WITH ITALY: Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has canceled his planned June 21–22 trip to Washington after President Trump insulted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, claiming she “begged” for a photo with him at the G7 and that he “felt sorry for her.”
Meloni released a video firing back at Trump’s comments, calling them “completely fabricated.”
“I am frankly appalled,” she said. “I don’t know why the President of the United States behaves this way towards his allies.”
She added that Trump appears to show more accommodation toward “the enemies of the West” than America’s allies and concluded by saying: “Italy and I never beg.”