Hegseth Accused of Blocking Officers’ Promotions Over Online Findings
Senior military officials say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office withheld promotions from officers already selected through a merit-based process, using internet searches to identify activities it considered disqualifying. They say the criteria disproportionately affected women and people of color. Officers were told by phone that their promotions were on hold and, according to two officers, were not given a chance to respond.
The cited activities included supporting diversity initiatives, encouraging COVID-19 vaccination, involvement in the Afghanistan evacuation, and connections to former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley. Examples in files described by a senior official included speaking at a women’s event, participating in a minority aviation panel, and allowing a Pride Month event. The official said staff assembled printouts in files the officers could not access, while instructions about the criteria were given by phone.
For many officers, missing the promotion could end their careers: if they do not receive the selected rank within 18 months, they are generally required to retire. Military defense attorney Cody Harnish said the process may be illegal, arguing that the law limits when promotion-list names can be removed and requires written notice and a chance to respond in cases of delay. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth is acting within his authority and wants senior officers committed to combat readiness and merit-based advancement. Hegseth has also said he wants to cut 20% of the most senior military ranks.
Hegseth’s Promotion Purge Targets Officers for Diversity Work
Senior military officials say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office sidelined officers who had already cleared a merit-based promotion process, using online searches to flag diversity work, vaccine advocacy and other activities. The alleged criteria disproportionately blocked women and people of color from advancing, while officers were denied a chance to respond.
The examples include officers who spoke at a women’s event or minority aviation panel, supported COVID-19 vaccination, or allowed a Pride Month event. A senior official said Hegseth’s staff created files of search printouts that officers could not see and communicated the criteria by phone. Many affected officers could be forced to retire if they do not receive their selected rank within 18 months.
This is the cost of turning lawful service into a political loyalty test. Military defense attorney Cody Harnish said the law requires specific grounds for delaying promotions and written notice with an opportunity to respond. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended Hegseth, saying he is acting within his authority and prioritizing combat readiness and merit. Hegseth has also sought a 20% reduction in the most senior ranks.
Hegseth Faces Claims Over Senior Officer Promotion Decisions
Claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office blocked senior officers’ promotions over online findings have put his effort to reshape military leadership under scrutiny. Officials say the searches flagged diversity initiatives, COVID-19 vaccine advocacy, the Afghanistan evacuation and other activities; they also say women and people of color were disproportionately affected.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth is focused on combat readiness and ensuring advancement is merit-based, and that the secretary acted within his authority. Hegseth has argued for reducing the most senior military ranks by 20%. The allegations concern officers already selected for promotion, some of whom were told by phone that their advancement was withheld and were not given an opportunity to respond.
The dispute centers on whether the intervention complied with promotion rules. Attorney Cody Harnish said the law permits removal from promotion lists only in limited circumstances and requires written notice and a chance to respond to a delayed promotion. Officers who do not receive their selected rank within 18 months may have to retire. The Pentagon’s stated focus is a leaner leadership structure committed to warfighting; critics say the process risks overriding established promotion protections.
Reported by MSNBC, The Daily Beast.
