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Defense Secretary's 'Passive' Juneteenth Message Sparks Controversy

6/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office has opted for a "passive approach" to Juneteenth messaging, revealing no plans for related content in a Pentagon email. This decision echoes Trump's anti-diversity rhetoric, with Hegseth proclaiming "DEI is dead" and restricting official resources for heritage month celebrations, undermining the military's historical recognition.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office has opted for a "passive approach" to Juneteenth messaging, revealing no plans for related content in a Pentagon email. This decision echoes Trump's anti-diversity rhetoric, with Hegseth proclaiming "DEI is dead" and restricting official resources for heritage month celebrations, undermining the military's historical recognition.