U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the DOD prioritizes military operations over climate change programs, asserting that recent cuts are necessary to focus on core functions like warfighting. He emphasized savings through collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), particularly regarding diversity funding. Hegseth’s remarks reflect a broader initiative to eliminate what he termed non-essential spending, including climate-related projects.
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth recently asserted that the DOD focuses on essential military activities rather than matters pertaining to climate change. In response to a CNN post highlighting program cuts related to climate initiatives by both the DOD and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he emphasized that training and warfighting remain the department’s primary concerns.
During a discussion regarding program reductions, CNN correspondent Haley Britzky pointed out that experts have warned these cuts could jeopardize military readiness and operations. This sentiment was echoed by Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot, who stated that “Climate zealotry and other woke chimeras of the Left are not part” of the DOD’s mission. Following this, Secretary Hegseth confirmed the stance by stating, “The @DeptofDefense does not do climate change crap.”
Furthermore, DOGE, under the leadership of billionaire Elon Musk, is collaborating with the DOD to eliminate wasteful expenditures. DOD spokesman Sean Parnell outlined initial findings indicating significant funds allocated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, suggesting potential savings of $80 million from wasteful spending.
Parnell remarked that initiatives related to DEI, such as the funding of $1.9 million for Air Force DEI training and $6 million to the University of Montana, detract from the military’s core responsibilities. He stressed that “This stuff is just not a core function of our military,” asserting the importance of redirecting focus toward essential operations.
Secretary Hegseth supports the efforts of DOGE, noting that its personnel, many of whom are veterans, have a vested interest in rectifying spending inefficiencies. He stated, “They care just like we do, to find the redundancies and identify the last vestiges of Biden priorities — the DEI, the woke, the climate change B.S., that’s not core to our mission, and we’re going to get rid of it all.”
In summary, Secretary Hegseth and the DOD are taking a definitive stance against climate change initiatives within their funding and operational focus, asserting that these activities impede military readiness. The collaboration with DOGE aims to reduce unnecessary expenditures, particularly those related to diversity initiatives, thereby saving substantial resources for the core military mission. Moving forward, the department seeks to eliminate programs deemed irrelevant to its primary objectives.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
