Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued new guidance late Friday, ending official Defense Department events that recognized Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and other “cultural awareness months” across the U.S. military.
This sweeping policy marks a significant shift for the Pentagon, which had regularly hosted official events throughout the year to celebrate these occasions. However, as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to challenge diversity, equity, and inclusion policies deemed harmful to the nation, Mr. Hegseth stated that such official events would no longer be permitted.
“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the department’s warfighting mission. Efforts to divide the force — to put one group ahead of another — erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” the guidance reads. The statement goes on to say that the Pentagon, military departments and all Defense Department components cannot use any official resources to host celebrations or events for National African American/Black History Month; Women’s History Month; Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; National Hispanic Heritage Month; National Disability Employment Awareness Month; and National American Indian Heritage Month.
“Installations, units, and offices are encouraged to celebrate the valor and success of military heroes of all races, genders, and backgrounds as we restore our warrior culture and ethos,” the guidance reads. “We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics.” The guidance goes on to say that military members can attend such events and observances but not while on duty and in uniform.
Federal workers across various agencies were instructed to remove pronouns from their email signatures by the end of the week, according to an online report Thursday. The directive follows two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office, aiming to eliminate what the administration considers “woke” diversity and equity programs within the federal government. The memos reportedly told employees to adhere to the new policy by Friday afternoon, stressing a return to professional and standardized workplace communications.
It comes in mens and womens and lets your friends know you're happy to express your views and don't care what anyone thinks! Cheers!
“Pronouns and any other information not permitted in the policy must be removed from CDC/ATSDR employee signatures by 5 p.m. ET on Friday,” stated Jason Bonander, the CDC’s Chief Information Officer, in a message sent Friday morning. According to internal memos obtained by ABC News, “Staff are being asked to alter signature blocks by 5 p.m. ET today (Friday, January 31, 2025) to follow the revised policy.”
