Defense Secretary Hegseth Dismisses Climate Change Initiatives as 'Crap', Prioritizes Military Readiness
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth firmly stated that the Department of Defense focuses on training and warfighting, not ‘climate change crap’.
In a bold stance against what he perceives as distractions, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear that the Department of Defense (DOD) is not in the business of ‘climate change crap’. Hegseth’s comments came in response to a CNN report that highlighted the DOD and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) planning to cut climate-related programs at the Pentagon. This decision has sparked a debate about the intersection of military readiness and environmental concerns.
Hegseth’s remarks underscore a focus on the core mission of the military, emphasizing training and warfighting over what he considers to be non-essential pursuits. His stance received support from Pentagon Spokesman John Ullyot, who echoed Hegseth’s sentiment, stating that ‘climate zealotry and other woke chimeras of the Left are not part’ of the DOD’s mission. This alignment within the department signals a unified front against what they see as extraneous agendas.
The DOD, in collaboration with DOGE, led by Elon Musk, is actively working to eliminate wasteful spending. Initial findings have identified millions of dollars allocated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which Hegseth and his team argue are not central to the military’s primary objectives. For instance, significant funds were directed towards holistic DEI transformation in the Air Force and research at universities aimed at bridging societal divides and studying climate impacts in Africa.
By cutting these programs, the DOD anticipates saving up to $80 million. Hegseth emphasized that such initiatives detract from the military’s core functions and distract from its mission. The involvement of DOGE, staffed partly by veterans, is seen as a positive step towards rooting out inefficiencies and eliminating what Hegseth referred to as ’the last vestiges of Biden priorities’—including DEI, woke ideology, and climate change initiatives.
Hegseth’s leadership in refocusing the DOD on its fundamental duties reflects a commitment to enhancing military effectiveness and readiness. As the department continues to streamline its operations and prioritize its essential tasks, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the broader military landscape and its approach to emerging global challenges.