Hegseth Orders Military Chiefs to Review Equal Opportunity Programs

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed a sweeping review of the military’s equal opportunity programs, according to a report earlier this week.

On Wednesday, Hegseth signed a memorandum titled “Restoring Good Order and Discipline Through Balanced Accountability,” which he acknowledged was “a little wordy but over the target.” As reported by the Washington Times, the directive mandates that each branch of the armed forces report on the current status of their equal opportunity programs within 45 days.

Hegseth emphasized the importance of maintaining systems that allow service members and Defense Department civilians to report discrimination and harassment. Still, he cautioned that in today’s environment, some complaints are being “weaponized.”

“Some individuals use these programs in bad faith to retaliate against superiors or peers,” he said Friday in a video posted on X. “Too often, at the Defense Department, there are complaints made for certain reasons that can’t be verified that end people’s careers.”

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Jules W. Hurst, the acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, stressed that preserving equal opportunity programs is critical to fostering meritocracy and ensuring accountability across the military.

“Our personnel deserve fair treatment and a positive work environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment,” Hurst stated Friday. “They also deserve qualified leaders who are empowered to make tough decisions, enforce standards, and restore good order and discipline through balanced accountability.”

Hurst explained that each service branch will recommend reforms to their equal opportunity systems and submit strategies to his office. These plans will aim to streamline complaint processes, address “problematic” behaviors, and prevent any unnecessary disruption to military operations.

“The comprehensive review will make certain that these programs and processes are timely, efficient, and effective and that the tools designed to support them are applied in a manner consistent with our mission and values,” Hurst added. “The strength of [military] comes from our unity and our shared purpose.”

Earlier this week, Hegseth also criticized the mainstream media and “disgruntled former employees” regarding the ongoing “Signalgate” controversy.

Speaking at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Hegseth dismissed fresh reports suggesting a second Signal app conversation where he allegedly shared intelligence about attacks in Yemen. He reassured reporters that he and President Donald Trump remain fully aligned.

“What a big surprise that a few leakers get fired and suddenly a bunch of hit pieces come out from the same media that peddled the Russia hoax,” Hegseth remarked, reacting to The New York Times' latest coverage.

“This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations,” he added. “Not going to work with me, because we’re changing the Defense Department, putting the Pentagon back in the hands of war-fighters. And anonymous smears from disgruntled former employees on old news doesn’t matter. So I’m happy to be here at the Easter Egg Roll with my dad and my kids.”

When asked whether he had discussed the alleged incident with President Trump, the former Fox News host confirmed he had.

“And we are going to continue fighting. On the same page all the way,” Hegseth said.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against an NPR report — which cited unnamed sources — suggesting that Trump was already considering replacing Hegseth. Trump himself also dismissed the claim, expressing confidence in his defense secretary and reaffirming that Hegseth was chosen specifically to shake up the Pentagon.