DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the department does not engage in climate change initiatives, emphasizing a focus on warfighting and training. His comments followed reported plans to cut climate programs linked to military readiness. Collaborating with DOGE, the DOD seeks to eliminate wasteful spending, particularly related to diversity and equity programs, potentially saving $80 million.
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted on Sunday that the DOD prioritizes warfighting and training over climate change initiatives, stating, “the@DeptofDefense does not do climate change crap.” This remark followed a CNN report highlighting plans by the DOD and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut climate-related programs, raising concerns among experts regarding potential impacts on military readiness.
CNN’s Haley Britzky reported the DOD’s intentions to eliminate climate programs, noting warnings from officials that these efforts are crucial for maintaining military capabilities. Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot echoed Hegseth’s sentiments, calling climate change initiatives and related political movements a distraction from the DOD’s essential mission.
DOGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk, is collaborating with the DOD to identify and reduce unnecessary expenditures. Among the expenditures flagged for potential cuts are substantial funds allocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including a $1.9 million initiative for DEI transformation training in the Air Force and $6 million to the University of Montana for promoting democracy.
DOD spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that non-core activities, such as climate initiatives, divert resources away from the military’s primary objectives. He expressed confidence that initial findings from DOGE could result in savings of $80 million by eliminating wasteful spending.
Hegseth noted that many DOGE team members are veterans dedicated to assessing and improving military operations by eliminating inefficiencies. He stressed the importance of derecognizing priorities he deems unnecessary, stating, “we’re going to get rid of it all.”
In summary, Secretary Pete Hegseth of the DOD articulated a clear stance against climate change initiatives, emphasizing that the department remains focused on warfighting and training. Collaborating with DOGE, the DOD intends to identify and eliminate unnecessary expenditures, particularly those related to DEI and climate programs, with a goal of achieving efficiency and saving taxpayer money. This approach prioritizes military readiness over environmental efforts, as echoed by officials within the department.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
