Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a speech to graduating cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 23, 2026, in which he criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and what he described as a 'woke military.'
According to verified reports, Hegseth's remarks focused on his belief that DEI programs undermine military readiness and unit cohesion. He urged the new officers to prioritize combat effectiveness over what he termed 'social experiments.'
The speech was met with mixed reactions, with some cadets and alumni expressing support for Hegseth's stance, while others criticized the remarks as divisive. The Pentagon has not issued an official response to the speech as of this report.
