Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocks senior officer promotions over diversity concerns

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has overseen a secret vetting process that halted the advancement of at least 40 senior officers to general and admiral ranks, about half of whom are women or minorities. The most prominent case is Rear Adm. Stephen D. Barnett, who was widely regarded as the leading candidate to head the Navy’s installation command after managing a major fuel‑spill cleanup in Hawaii. Hegseth rejected Barnett in favor of a lower‑ranked white officer, citing Barnett’s past remarks on the importance of diversity as a disqualifier.

Hegseth has pledged a "ruthlessly meritocratic" promotion system focused on warfighting ability, but critics argue the new approach disproportionately blocks Black and female officers who have strong service records. Barnett, expected to retire, declined comment, and the Pentagon did not respond to inquiries. The revelations come from interviews with current and former military officials and highlight tension between diversity initiatives and leadership selection within the Pentagon.