Hegseth’s anti-DEI campaign alarms Black military personnel
Hegseth’s anti-DEI campaign alarms Black military personnel  
Podcast: The Source
Published On: Mon Sep 14 2026
Description: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign to eliminate diversity programs is prompting concern among Black service members who say their qualifications and patriotism are being called into question. Writing in The Atlantic, Clint Smith said many of the roughly two dozen Black military personnel he interviewed felt disrespected or pressured to leave.