Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the DOD does not prioritize climate change programs, focusing instead on military training and warfighting. His comments followed cuts to climate initiatives within the Pentagon, with warnings from experts about the potential risks to military readiness. The DOD, in collaboration with DOGE, aims to eliminate wasteful spending and enhance operational efficiency by removing non-essential programs.
On Sunday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asserted that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) prioritizes warfighting and training over climate change initiatives, stating, “The @DeptofDefense does not do climate change crap.” His remarks followed a post by CNN’s Haley Britzky highlighting cuts to climate-related programs within the Pentagon by both the DOD and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Britzky noted that experts warn these cuts could jeopardize military readiness, impacting troop safety and military operations.
In response to public scrutiny, Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot stated that “climate zealotry and other woke chimeras of the Left are not part” of the DOD’s mission. He emphasized that the DOD is focused on essential military functions rather than climate-related initiatives, which are viewed as distractions. In light of this perspective, Hegseth supported Ullyot’s comments, reaffirming the DOD’s commitment to core military operations.
DOGE, which is spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, collaborates with the DOD to identify and eliminate wasteful spending. A video featuring DOD spokesman Sean Parnell reported potential savings of $80 million through the initial findings of DOGE, which pointed out excessive funding for various diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, among other expenditures deemed unnecessary for military objectives.
Parnell emphasized that addressing these spending inefficiencies is crucial, asserting, “This is not what we do. This stuff is a distraction from our core mission.” He noted that the agency aims to preserve military resources by removing initiatives not aligned with DOD’s primary duties. Additionally, Hegseth recognized the positive impact that DOGE’s reviews could have, as many employees involved are veterans committed to enhancing operational efficacy by eliminating redundant priorities.
The DOD’s opposition to climate initiatives exemplifies its determination to stay focused on military readiness while eliminating what it views as irrelevant distractions. Hegseth’s comments reflect a broader perspective within the department regarding priorities, seeking to streamline operations and resources in accordance with its primary mission.
In conclusion, Secretary Hegseth’s remarks underscore the DOD’s commitment to prioritizing warfighting and training over climate change initiatives. The collaboration with DOGE aims to eliminate wasteful spending linked to non-core functions, potentially saving substantial funds for military readiness. This focus demonstrates a strategic approach by the DOD to ensure that its resources are aligned with its primary operational objectives, dismissing what it considers distractions.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
