‘This Will Not Stand’: SecDef Puts Military On Notice Over DEI ‘Malicious Compliance’ Efforts

Newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear on Sunday that he would not stand for “malicious compliance” with regard to his efforts to root out Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from the United States military.

Hegseth promised immediately after his confirmation to ensure that the military would return to full strength and lethality, an effort that would require a focus on fitness for duty rather than social demographics — but the immediate response from at least one military base was what Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) referred to as “malicious compliance.”

According to a Reuters report that circulated on Saturday, officials at Joint Base San-Antonio-Lackland — which includes Lackland Air Base as well as the U.S. Army’s Fort Sam Houston — had stopped using training videos featuring the famed Tuskegee Airmen pending a review to determine whether they met the “no DEI” standard demanded by Hegseth and President Donald Trump. Also up for review was a training video about the “Women Air Force Service Pilots” (WASPs), the female civilian pilots trained by the military during World War II.

Britt responded via a lengthy post on X, saying, “I have no doubt Secretary Hegseth will correct and get to the bottom of the malicious compliance we’ve seen in recent days. President Trump celebrated and honored the Tuskegee Airmen during his first term, promoting legendary aviator Charles McGee to Brigadier General and pinning his stars in the Oval Office.”

“In his second term, the Trump Administration will continue to deeply respect and elevate the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy. Their history and their lessons will continue to be taught—because their legacy is one of excellence, of success, and of unquestionable merit,” Britt continued. “As the Pentagon under @PeteHegseth’s leadership restores its focus to lethality, there is no greater historical example of a highly skilled, valiant fighting force than the Tuskegee Airmen. These role models will continue to inspire the next generation of courageous, selfless American service-members.”

I have no doubt Secretary Hegseth will correct and get to the bottom of the malicious compliance we’ve seen in recent days. President Trump celebrated and honored the Tuskegee Airmen during his first term, promoting legendary aviator Charles McGee to Brigadier General and pinning…

— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) January 26, 2025

Hegseth responded as well, confirming Britt’s prediction: “Amen! We’re all over it Senator. This will not stand.”

Amen! We’re all over it Senator. This will not stand. https://t.co/Hii282f1d8

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 26, 2025

On Sunday afternoon, a follow-up report from Reuters stated that both training videos had, in fact, passed the review and would still be used for training.

Lieutenant General Brian Robinson, at the Air Education and Training Command, issued a statement saying, “No Airmen or Guardians will miss this block of instruction due to the revision, however one group of trainees had the training delayed.”

Four hundred and fifty pilots, primarily African Americans, became known as the Tuskegee Airmen and fought overseas during World War II. Their bravery and exploits in battle eventually led to then-President Harry S Truman desegregating the Armed Forces in 1948.