The Pentagon has risen to the defence of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth amid scrutiny stemming from a report by *The New York Times*. The article alleged that Ricky Buria, Hegseth’s chief of staff, made disparaging comments regarding the appointment of a Black female officer, raising questions about diversity and inclusion within the US military ranks.
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According to the *Times*, Buria expressed dissatisfaction with Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll’s choice of Major General Antoinette R. Gant to lead the Military District of Washington. The report indicated that Buria suggested former President Donald Trump would prefer not to be seen alongside a Black woman at military ceremonies. The command, which operates from Fort McNair in Washington, is responsible for security and ceremonial duties and frequently shares space with the president during public events.
In light of Buria’s remarks, which sparked criticism from various quarters, Driscoll and a senior White House official purportedly voiced their disagreement with Buria’s view. Despite the initial resistance, Gant has assumed command since July of the previous year, indicating a potential shift in attitudes regarding representation in high-ranking military roles.
Buria has since refuted the claims made in the *New York Times* article, labelling them a distortion of the truth. He suggested that the information was fabricated to create discord within the military and the administration. “This is completely false,” Buria stated in a response to PEOPLE. “Whoever placed this made-up story is clearly trying to sow division among our ranks in the Department and the administration.”
Additionally, the report unveiled that Hegseth allegedly attempted to obstruct the promotions of two Black and two female officers to one-star general rank. It appears Hegseth pressed for the removal of these officers’ names from a promotion list that included approximately thirty-six candidates, a move reportedly resisted by Driscoll for several months before the names were ultimately struck from the list.
The specifics surrounding the blocked promotions have not been disclosed, although military officials indicated that they included a Black combat veteran, targeted due to a paper he had authored concerning Black officers in the military. Additionally, a female logistics officer was purportedly singled out for her role in the highly scrutinised withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which Hegseth has described as “disastrous and embarrassing.”
Despite these serious allegations, Sean Parnell, the chief spokesman for the Pentagon, dismissed the claims made by *The New York Times*, arguing that military promotions under Hegseth are based solely on merit. He refrained from confirming whether Hegseth had moved to remove the officers’ names from the promotion list. Parnell stated, “This story, like many others from the Failing New York Times, is full of fake news from anonymous sources who have no idea what they’re talking about.”
In a broader context, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not specifically address the report but praised Hegseth for his efforts to re-establish a system of meritocracy within the Pentagon, as directed by Trump. “The President is proud to serve as Commander in Chief of the most powerful military in the world and is incredibly proud of the Americans from all walks of life who selflessly choose to serve our country in uniform,” she stated in a released statement.
The report has raised significant concern among various political leaders, particularly those aligned with the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus. In a joint statement, they condemned the actions outlined in the *New York Times* article, highlighting a pattern of undermining individuals from minority backgrounds within military and public service roles. “Time and time again, Trump and his administration have shown us exactly who they are—attacking and undermining Black people and women in the military, public servants, and women in power,” they stated.
The unfolding events surrounding Buria and Hegseth’s alleged actions suggest a deeper struggle within the military establishment regarding representation and inclusivity, particularly for women and officers of colour. As this situation continues to evolve, it may further illuminate the dynamics at play within the current administration’s approach to military leadership and promotion practices.