Official announcements from the Department of Defense

Defense Secretary Hegseth Ends DEI Programs, Cancels $420 Million in Pentagon Contracts

Jan 26, 2025, 06:45 PM

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the immediate termination of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at the Department of Defense (DoD), following President Donald Trump’s executive order to eliminate such initiatives across federal agencies. Hegseth emphasized strict compliance, stating, "No exceptions, name-changes, or delays. Those who do not comply will no longer work here." This directive aligns with Trump’s broader policy to prioritize merit-based systems and end race- and gender-based preferences in federal operations. Hegseth, who was sworn in on January 25, 2025, after a tiebreaker vote by Vice President JD Vance, has made enforcing this policy one of his first actions as Secretary of Defense. The Pentagon is expected to comply immediately, with all DEI-related contracts and positions being terminated. This move follows a broader federal effort to dismantle DEI initiatives, including the closure of DEI offices and the cancellation of $420 million in related contracts. Hegseth’s leadership marks a shift in the Pentagon’s focus towards military effectiveness over social initiatives.