Pete Hegseth, the freshly sworn-in U.S. Defense Secretary, isn’t wasting any time making changes at the Pentagon. One of his first moves? Taking aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives. In a bold handwritten note shared with Pentagon staff, Hegseth made his stance crystal clear: “DoD ≠ DEI*.” The asterisk added, “no exceptions, name-changes or delays. Those who do not comply will no longer work here.”

Hegseth, who took office on January 27, 2025, after a narrow Senate confirmation, believes these programs have weakened the military. Instead, he’s committed to bringing back what he calls the “warrior ethos.” The note, signed “SecDef 29” (his title as the 29th Defense Secretary), was also posted on his social media and circulated among Pentagon employees.

The Senate confirmed Hegseth by a razor-thin 51-to-50 vote, the closest margin for a Defense Secretary since the role was established in 1947. Vice President JD Vance had to step in to break the tie after three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing his nomination.

This move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader push against D.E.I. efforts across federal agencies. Last week, federal employees were warned they could face consequences if they didn’t report colleagues who refused to halt these programs.

While some applaud Hegseth’s focus on military readiness, others worry this shift could undo progress made in addressing systemic inequities. One thing’s for sure—this is just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative tenure at the Pentagon.