Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is establishing a new task force to root out efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the US military — policies he has derided as “woke” and contrary to the Pentagon’s mission of readiness and lethality.

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth steps into his office on the Pentagon's third floor E Ring on Monday morning, he will have a daunting array of issues to tackle — from global conflicts and border security to administrative tasks.

The new defense secretary’s goals run counter to the military’s apolitical tradition and efforts to build a force that mirrors America.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled Trump would sign executive orders intended to roll back diversity initiatives and shake up the military.

Hegseth wants to restore honor to Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, the native North Carolinian whose name was replaced at Fort Bragg last year. | Opinion

Trump tried to impose a ban on transgender troops during his first term, but it was tangled up in the courts for years before being overturned by Joe Biden.

Wicker did not specify what day the vote would take place, but said it could be as late as next Thursday if Senate Democrats do not allow the chamber to speed up the confirmation process.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday released his priorities for the Pentagon soon after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tiebreaking vote in the Senate and swore him into office.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin bid farewell Friday to the forces and personnel he has led through a tumultuous term that had three major military crises, a global pandemic and a personal brush with cancer that became a flashpoint for the way it was mishandled.

Pete Hegseth narrowly secured enough votes on Friday to become the next U.S. defense secretary, a major victory for President Donald Trump after fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans to his controversial nominee.

Columnist David Marcus writes that the three senators who voted against Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense seem to have missed the point while looking for a more traditional nominee.

Hegseth's confirmation is a narrow victory for Trump and supporters who want to see a warrior and change agent lead the Pentagon.