Pentagon chief Hegseth blocks promotions of Black and female officers
The gist
Hegseth has blocked or delayed promotions for more than a dozen Black and female senior officers.
The interventions bypass promotion boards, and stalled officers often must retire within 18 months.
How it unfolded
- Mar 27, 2026NPR confirms Hegseth intervened to stop the promotions of four Army officers — two Black men and two women — on track to become one-star generals, as first reported by the New York Times.
- Apr 3, 2026Nine U.S. officials say Hegseth blocked or delayed promotions for more than a dozen Black and female senior officers across all four branches, including three Marine officers.
- Jun 2, 2026Hegseth blocks the promotions of nine Navy officers selected by a board of senior admirals; three are women and two are Black men, leaving a slate of 22 nominees for one-star admiral.
Key terms
- DEI
- Organizational frameworks promoting fair treatment and full participation of all people, especially historically underrepresented or marginalized groups.
- Inspector General
- An investigative official within a civil or military organization.
Source: Wikipedia