Conservatives are cheering over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to nix all culture-related events and celebrations.
As part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the Pentagon announced Friday that the military will no longer waste “official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months.”
Identity Months Dead at DoD
U.S. Department of Defense announces it “will not use official resources, to include man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months.”
The era of divisive identity politics is coming to an end in the Trump… pic.twitter.com/YqTRrRU2fs
— Gays For Trump (@GaysForTrump24) February 1, 2025
This means no more celebrating National African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, National American Indian Heritage Month, etc.
“Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos,” the guidance continues. “We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.”
There’s also been speculation that the Pentagon is canceling celebrations for Holocaust Remembrance Day, MLK Day, and Juneteenth, but this hasn’t been officially confirmed as true.
Intelligence officials are starting to leak to me now too. Here’s a memo Defense Intelligence Agency personnel received instructing them to suspend observances including:
– Holocaust Remembrance Day
– MLK Day
– Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/wQvGFxVfMD— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) January 29, 2025
To be clear, this guidance only applies to the Department of Defense. The White House, for its part, celebrated the start of Black History Month on Friday with a proclamation from President Donald Trump.
“Throughout our history, black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways,” the proclamation reads. “American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens.”
“Their achievements, which have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country, continue to serve as an inspiration for all Americans,” it continues.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH! Love to see Trump honoring Thomas Sowell, Justice Thomas, Frederick Douglas, and Harriet Tubman. pic.twitter.com/aizgxKyjD1
— @amuse (@amuse) February 1, 2025
That being said, the DOD’s decision-making is tied directly to the president, as it comes roughly two weeks after Trump on Inauguration Day signed an executive order calling for the “termination” of all “discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and diversity, equity, including and accessibility (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the federal government.”
Then, this past Wednesday, Hegseth stressed on Fox News that he intended to follow the executive order to a T.
“We’re not joking around. There’s no changing of names or softly manipulating something. DEI is gone,” he said.
Conservatives meanwhile are thrilled over the Pentagon’s announcement, with many remarking that it’s a sign of a new age at the Defense Department.
This is a good move! Let’s get our military back to its main mission which is to winning battles, not celebrating the different races within the ranks!
— Gil (@Two_Weeks_Away) February 1, 2025
That’s excellent. The divisive exclusive celebrations and the months devoted to all the “special” groups should be eliminated. While at it stop asking about race and ethnicity on all forms. Once again this is a welcome change from the new administration!
— NB Forrest (@NForrest58744) January 30, 2025
It’s not an elementary school; it’s the Defense Intelligence Agency. They’re there to protect the country, not to have myriad ‘special observances hosted by the command element, directorates and special offices’ for a new Democrat voting bloc every few weeks.
— Brett Hatfield (@brett0769) January 29, 2025
This is how it should be! The military isn’t pre-school. We don’t need to decorate the bulletin board this month.
Military is serious business because our nation’s security is serious business.
Finally some level-headed and hard-working leadership. Thank you @SecDef— TexasGal (@TexasMyHeart) February 1, 2025
This is perfect!! The focus should always be to protected and defend Freedom, Liberty and security for Sovereignty, Country and Citizens! pic.twitter.com/dYFBTbShea
— Tran Cyndie ✝️ (@CyndieTran_TFLM) February 1, 2025
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