Pentagon denies Senator Kelly's claim that Hegseth discriminates against women and Black officers

Senator Mark Kelly accused Secretary Pete Hegseth of removing women and Black officers from key positions, alleging identity-based discrimination. The Department of War countered by quoting Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who said promotions are awarded solely on merit and never on the basis of race or gender. Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez echoed this stance, stating that any challenge to merit-based advancement is misguided.

Kelly referenced the ousting of former Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, and other senior leaders as examples of the alleged bias. The department did not disclose the specific reasons for those personnel changes. Hegseth has previously warned against “identity-based advancement,” calling it toxic leadership. The dispute unfolded after Kelly’s remarks on a televised interview and was relayed to one outlet.