Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth used his commencement address at West Point to launch a fierce attack on what he called the 'woke military', accusing previous leaders of weakening the armed forces through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Speaking in the rain at Michie Stadium on Saturday, Hegseth told graduating cadets that past reforms had turned the academy into a 'woke Princeton'. 'They tried to introduce diversity and inclusion studies. They hire professors who advocated for anti-American ideologies right here in these halls, but no more,' he said.
Hegseth described the phrase 'our diversity is our strength' as 'the single dumbest phrase in military history', adding that such ideas 'cannot be tolerated in our formations' and 'are what get people killed'. He also criticised the removal of statues and relocation of historical artwork, declaring that West Point's 'slow slide' was over.
Early in his speech, Hegseth performed an impression of President Donald Trump while announcing a reprieve for cadets with minor infractions, saying they received 'a complete and total pardon'. He also referenced the military's role in Operation Epic Fury and noted that the Army had surpassed recruitment goals, reaching 61,500 troops.
The address comes as the US weighs possible renewed military action against Iran. At the end of the ceremony, a cadet president presented Hegseth with a ceremonial saber, a traditional gift from the Class of 2026.
