US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has officially confirmed a proposal to eliminate 20% of the country’s current fleet of generals and admirals. Alongside the personnel reductions, Hegseth issued a stark directive regarding the culture of the armed forces, stating that individuals he described as “beardos,” “weirdos,” or “wimps” would not be tolerated within the military ranks.
In a recent address, the defense secretary launched a vigorous critique of diversity programs within the services. He also sought to counter narratives regarding low morale among troops, labeling such reports as “false claims.” Furthermore, Hegseth asserted that the military is currently maintaining service personnel at “record” levels.
The announcement marks the latest in a series of controversial moves by Hegseth, who has previously ranted against various groups, advocating for a force composed of “no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals.”
The ‘beardo’ comment is bizarre. Are we really regulating facial hair now? This feels like a performance for social media.
Cutting leadership might save money, but I hope they don’t cut the wrong people. Competence matters more than ideology.