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Defense Secretary Hegseth Bypasses Black Admiral, Halts Promotions

6/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appointed a white officer to command base operations, bypassing Black Rear Admiral Stephen D. Barnett.
Navy leaders rated Barnett most qualified for leading the Hawaii fuel-spill cleanup, a decision later questioned because secret vetting flagged his past diversity remarks as a concern.
Hegseth has halted promotions for at least 40 senior officers this year, roughly half of whom are women or minorities.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appointed a white officer to command base operations, bypassing Black Rear Admiral Stephen D. Barnett.
Navy leaders rated Barnett most qualified for leading the Hawaii fuel-spill cleanup, a decision later questioned because secret vetting flagged his past diversity remarks as a concern.
Hegseth has halted promotions for at least 40 senior officers this year, roughly half of whom are women or minorities.