Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a fiery commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Saturday morning, criticizing identity politics and diversity initiatives in the military. Despite pouring rain, Hegseth addressed the cadets directly, calling out “foolish and feckless leaders” who, he said, had tried to politicize the academy.
“The battlefield does not grade on a curve, and you can’t throw your pronouns at the enemy,” Hegseth told the graduates. “Combat is the ultimate test, and our best Americans must ace it.”
Opposition to DEI Programs
Hegseth, a West Point alumnus, took aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, accusing past leaders of trying to turn West Point into a “woke Princeton.”
“They embraced the DEI craze and tried to introduce diversity and inclusion studies,” he said. “They hired professors who advocated for anti-American ideologies right here in these halls, but no more. West Point is set apart. It’s special. It’s above politics. Success here is based on merit. It’s how you perform that matters.”
He also reiterated his support for President Trump’s executive order banning openly transgender individuals from military service, emphasizing discipline and fitness as the true measures of a soldier.
“You are fit, not fat. You are disciplined, not distracted,” Hegseth said.
Restoring Standards and Tradition
Hegseth criticized what he called the “slow slide” of the U.S. Army, citing lower standards, an obsession with race and gender, weakened discipline codes, and the removal of statues and artwork.
“Many of you, even in your short time in uniform, have endured what I call the slow slide of the U.S. Army. You’ve seen standards lowered, you’ve seen an obsession with race and gender, you’ve seen the watering down of discipline, codes weakened and traditions tossed aside in the name of political correctness, statues taken down, paintings placed in the basement. I’m here to tell you the slow slide here at West Point and across the United States Army is over.”
He invoked conservative activist Charlie Kirk to inspire graduates:
“As Charlie Kirk often said, ‘Remember, always this too shall pass. The good times will pass, the bad times will pass.’”
Hegseth also pledged to “untie” the hands of service members in the field:
“Lawyers don’t run battalions, commanders do. No matter what, President Trump and I will have your back when tough decisions are made, especially decisions made in a split second in the heat of battle that air-conditioned offices in Washington, D.C., will never have. Understand, your hands are untied.”
Overhaul of Military Legal Offices
Earlier this year, Hegseth announced a “ruthless, no-excuses” overhaul of the military’s legal offices and fired the top lawyers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, claiming they were obstructing orders from the president.
Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about weakening legal safeguards, particularly after U.S. military strikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. A coalition of lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds even released a joint video urging service members to defy illegal orders.
President Trump called their warning “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by Death!” on Truth Social. Federal prosecutors sought to indict the lawmakers for allegedly interfering with military loyalty, morale, or discipline, though a grand jury declined to indict in February. Lawmakers involved included Senators Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Representatives Jason Crow (Colo.), Chris Deluzio (Pa.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), and Maggie Goodlander (N.H.).
West Point Ceremony and Notable Attendees
During Saturday’s ceremony, Hegseth was joined on stage by Representatives Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and other top military officials. President Trump delivered last year’s commencement address, and previous speakers at West Point have included President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
