WASHINGTON — Recently, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a statement on social media claiming to have dismantled a Defense Department program supporting women in security roles, which he labeled as “woke.” However, the program, known as “Women, Peace & Security,” was originally backed and signed into law by then-President Donald Trump.
In his post on the platform X, Hegseth referred to the program as a “UNITED NATIONS initiative pushed by feminists and left-wing activists,” adding that while politicians praised it, military personnel reportedly disliked it. This characterization is misleading, as the initiative was a bipartisan effort, enacted under Trump in 2017, aimed at leveraging women’s roles in achieving security objectives. These roles are particularly critical in areas where men may face cultural or religious barriers in engaging with local women.
This move by Hegseth is part of a broader Pentagon effort to terminate programs perceived as supporting diversity, equity, or inclusion. The push follows a directive by Trump for federal agencies to eliminate DEI content, which previously led to public backlash when the Pentagon’s action temporarily removed images of notable figures like Jackie Robinson.
Despite Hegseth’s disapproval, the Women, Peace and Security program enjoys support from several of Trump’s Cabinet members and military leaders. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted the program’s effectiveness during congressional testimony, describing how female team members significantly enhanced situational understanding during missions. Caine, who impressed Trump during his service in Iraq, was nominated by the former president for his current role.
Key political figures across parties have supported the 2017 Women, Peace and Security Act. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who co-authored the House bill version with Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky, and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Senate co-sponsor, were instrumental in passing this pioneering U.S. legislation. It reflected principles from a U.N. Security Council resolution in 2000, emphasizing women’s involvement in peace processes.
Following Hegseth’s comments, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric remarked on the historic exclusion of women from formal peace efforts, highlighting the program’s success in increasing female peacekeeping roles in conflict zones, ultimately benefiting civilian protection.
Hegseth’s statements have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who continue to scrutinize his readiness for his role, especially following incidents where he reportedly used a commercial app to relay sensitive military details. Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed skepticism about Hegseth’s understanding of his duties, while Senator Tim Kaine criticized the inaccuracies in Hegseth’s social media comments during a congressional session.
Despite branding the program as “overburdening” and a “divisive” initiative by the Biden administration, Hegseth acknowledged its security focus. Still, he promised minimal compliance with congressional requirements and vowed to end the program. Notably, the program has been a celebrated achievement under Trump’s governance, even earning recognition from Ivanka Trump for new international partnerships aimed at training female security personnel.
Hegseth later reiterated his resolve to terminate the program, accusing current administration officials of misappropriating its purpose. No further statements were issued from Hegseth’s spokespeople regarding his online remarks.