Trending Now - Concerns Raised Over Racial and Gender Bias in Military Promotions
WHO:
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Black and female Army officers involved in the promotion decisions
The New York Times, source of the report
Current and former senior military officials who provided information anonymously
WHAT:
Hegseth blocked a total of at least six promotions, including a Black colonel and a female colonel from another branch of the military.
Hegseth fired Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown and Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to hold the Navy's top uniformed job.
Pete Hegseth blocked the promotion of four Army officers to the rank of One-Star General
The blocked officers included two Black officers and two female officers
The report was based on information from The New York Times
WHERE:
United States Army
WHEN:
The events referenced occurred in 2026, as reported by The New York Times
WHY:
Sen. Jack Reed stated that if the reports are accurate, Hegseth's actions would be "outrageous" and potentially illegal, as they would deny promotions based on race or gender.
It was reported that Trump would not want to stand next to a Black female officer, influencing the promotion decisions
HOW:
Hegseth has been "weeding out" senior officers deemed ideologically incompatible, as confirmed by U.S. officials not authorized to speak publicly.
The promotion decisions were influenced by the opinions of senior military officials and the perception of Trump's preferences
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 23:07 UTC)
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell and Senator Jack Reed, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have raised serious concerns over recent actions by Trump appointee Pete Hegseth, who reportedly blocked at least six military promotions, including those of a Black colonel and a female colonel. Hegseth also dismissed Joint Chiefs Chairman General CQ Brown and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the Navy, leading Senator Reed to describe these actions as "outrageous" and potentially illegal if they are found to be based on race or gender. U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that Hegseth has been actively "weeding out" senior officers he considers ideologically incompatible.
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(UPDATED March 27, 2026 19:20 UTC)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked the promotion of four Army officers to the rank of One-Star General, including two Black officers and two female officers, according to a report from The New York Times. The report indicates that the promotion decisions were influenced by the opinions of current and former senior military officials, who suggested that Trump would not want to stand next to a Black female officer. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding diversity and representation within the United States Army.