Hegseth Blocks Promotions, Diversity Debate Rages

0:00On March 27, Defense Secretary Pete Hakeseth has blocked the promotions of four U.S. Army officers to one-star general positions. Reports indicate two of them are black and two are women, while most candidates on the broader list of about three dozen are white men. Earlier this month, he set removed their names from the list on his own, though questions remain about his legal power to do that. The updated list now heads to the White House for review before going to the Senate. Senior military officials say this fits Hakeseth's push to drop what he calls woke policies from past leaders. One heated clash involved his chief of staff opposing a black woman's promotion, citing concerns over President Trump's event appearances, but the White House backed her and she advanced anyway. The move echoes efforts to reverse changes under former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first black person in that role. Hakeseth also brought on Anthony Tata to handle personnel, despite Tata's past controversial remarks about leaders like Barack Obama.

1:01As the list moves forward, this underscores ongoing debates over diversity and leadership in the military.