Hegseth Blocks 7 Navy Captain-to-Admiral Promotions — Including Women and Black Officers; Fast-Tracks Personal Aide

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth personally blocked at least 7 officers from a list of 22 Navy captain-to-one-star-admiral promotions, with reporting confirming at least 2 women and 2 Black men were among those removed. Hegseth simultaneously attempted to fast-track a personal aide who had been passed over for promotion multiple times. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, noted that nearly 60% of senior officers Hegseth has fired or blocked overall are female or Black, citing a pattern of discriminatory promotion practices. The move came alongside a DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruling (June 1) finding his transgender military service ban was 'fueled by the bare desire to harm a politically unpopular group' and likely violates equal protection guarantees. Hegseth posted 'See you at SCOTUS' in response to the transgender ban ruling, signaling a Supreme Court appeal.