Senator Eric Schmitt is advocating for the removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from the Pentagon, aiming to include these measures in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). According to Schmitt, the current emphasis on DEI has a negative impact on military recruitment and readiness. He was successful in getting several amendments incorporated in the version of the NDAA recently approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee. These include making a hiring freeze on DEI-related positions permanent and prohibiting the reauthorization of the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion by the Secretary of Defense. Additionally, Schmitt introduced amendments to prevent DEI contract clauses in hiring contracts and to prohibit a DEI minor degree at the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Senator Schmitt emphasized the importance of addressing these issues, stating that it is crucial to return the military to a true meritocracy. He believes that the focus on DEI programs is affecting recruitment negatively, describing the ideology as “cultural Marxism” that turns people away from joining the military. Schmitt argued that the emphasis on DEI divides people by race instead of focusing on unity, lethality, and protecting the country.
Despite facing some opposition, Senator Schmitt remains optimistic about the amendments passing out of the committee, citing bipartisan support. He hopes that colleagues across the aisle will join efforts to eliminate these programs when the NDAA package goes to the Senate floor for a full vote. Schmitt stressed that the goal is to ensure that the military remains a lethal fighting force without being influenced by woke politics.
The push to remove DEI programs from the Pentagon is part of a broader effort to combat what Schmitt views as a discriminatory and racist obsession perpetuated by the left and the Biden administration. He highlighted the importance of listening to the concerns of real men and women in uniform who have expressed their disapproval of such initiatives. Senator Schmitt underscored the need to continue fighting against these programs to uphold the values of meritocracy and unity within the military.
In conclusion, Senator Eric Schmitt’s advocacy for eliminating DEI programs at the Pentagon reflects a larger debate surrounding the role of diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military. While facing challenges, Schmitt remains committed to promoting a merit-based system that prioritizes readiness and unity within the armed forces. As the NDAA moves forward, the conversation around DEI programs and their impact on military effectiveness is likely to continue evolving.