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Pentagon fires back after Mark Kelly accuses Pete Hegseth of targeting women and Black military officers

Kelly alleged that military personnel decisions targeted women and Black officers and could drive experienced leaders away.

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This article1 analysis · Oct 1, 2026

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Jul 31, 2026
tl;dr

The Pentagon rejected Sen. Mark Kelly’s accusation that Pete Hegseth targeted women and Black officers in military personnel decisions. Kelly said the removals could drive experienced officers from the military; Pentagon officials said promotions were based on merit.

Community verdict

14 VOTES
How does this story look for
Mark Kelly D · AZ · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

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Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

Senator who accused Hegseth of targeting women and Black military officers

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Secretary of War accused by Kelly of discriminatory personnel decisions

Hegseth's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who dismissed Gen. CQ Brown and selected a replacement

Chief Pentagon spokesman who defended merit-based promotions

ALSO MENTIONED  CQ Brown, Former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff whose removal Kelly cited; Dan “Razin” Caine, Retired Air Force lieutenant general selected to replace Brown; Jim Slide, Air Force vice chair of staff named among officers for whom Hegseth requested replacement nominees; Joel Valdez, Acting Pentagon press secretary who rejected Kelly’s premise; Lisa Franchetti, Former chief of naval operations whose removal Kelly cited

Part of a bigger story

2 OUTLETS
Pentagon Responds to Mark Kelly’s Allegations About Officer Removals
COVERAGE BY OUTLET LEANTHIS OUTLET
ARTICLES
2
OUTLETS
2
AVG CRED
66
ALSO ABOUTPete Hegseth

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