Pete Hegseth wants to remove the names of two black individuals from a military promotion list.

According to a recent report from The Independent, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made an unexpected move by trying to block the promotions of four Army officers, all of whom were Black men and women, from being promoted to one-star general positions. It seems that Hegseth took matters into his own hands after asking Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and other Army leaders to remove the officers' names from the promotion list. However, when Driscoll refused due to the officers' outstanding records, Hegseth decided to personally remove their names from the list.

The decision raised many questions about whether Hegseth had the authority to do so before the list was sent to the White House for final review. One senior military official revealed that the promotion list consisted of approximately 40 officers, mostly white men, but some Black and female officers were still included. Hegseth has been vocal about his stance on "woke" policies in the Pentagon, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has pledged to make promotions based solely on merit.

Many were left wondering if the four officers were targeted because of their race or gender. One of the officers whose name was allegedly removed from the list was Maj. Gen.

Antoinette Gant, a Black combat engineer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. She was recommended to become the head of the Military District of Washington, a role that would entail providing security and performing ceremonial duties in the nation's capital, often alongside the president at Arlington National Cemetery. It was reported that Hegseth's chief of staff, Ricky Buria, told Driscoll that President Donald Trump would not want to stand next to a Black female officer at military events.

However, Driscoll responded by saying that the president was not racist or sexist, and eventually, Hegseth's office gave in. Gant began serving in the role last summer and was promoted to two-star general in early March 2026. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed the report as "fake news," stating that under Hegseth's leadership, promotions are based on merit and not influenced by politics.

Buria also released a statement, calling the report an attempt to create a false narrative and divide the Department and the administration. He emphasized that the Department is led by strong and focused leaders who are not swayed by Washington gossip. However, other reports suggest otherwise.

Before his appointment, Hegseth fired Gen. C.Q. Brown, who was the second African American to hold the position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He also fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to hold the Navy's top uniformed job. Both Brown and Franchetti had been critical of Hegseth, and he did not hesitate to express his feelings about them.

In his book, "The War on Warriors," Hegseth questioned whether Brown had earned his position based on merit or because of his race. He went on to say that the military's standards had been overshadowed by "woke" priorities and that Brown's promotions were a result of his alignment with left-wing politicians, who rewarded him for his views. In the midst of this controversy, Jamaica's iconic reggae legacy was solidified with the successful Lost In Time Festival 2026.

The event showcased the country's rich cultural heritage and celebrated the music genre that has become synonymous with Jamaica. Despite the turmoil in the Department, the festival served as a reminder of Jamaica's resilience and the power of music to unite people.