Pete Hegseth spoke during West Point’s commencement (Image: Adam Gray, Getty Images)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew criticism from conservatives following a controversial statement during a commencement address.
On May 23, Fox News broke from its scheduled programming to broadcast the defense secretary’s speech at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. The 45-year-old Secretary of War addressed the graduating cadets with frank remarks about faith, combat, and warfare. He then shifted his focus to identity months, which recognize various awareness periods, including Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
In a forceful statement, Hegseth declared, “You do not have time to celebrate identity months.” But he was quickly condemned as playing “political games.” It comes after Donald Trump reportedly tried to access the US nuclear launch codes – before one person stopped him.
Hegseth had begun at West Point by stating, “You will not compromise. You will not see color. And you will not try to meet arbitrary quotas based on immutable characteristics.
“You do not have time to celebrate identity months!” he pressed on. “And you will not make excuses for yourself! You will not take excuses from others! You will lead!”
Fox News viewers slammed Hegseth (Image: Getty Images)
Social media users quickly condemned Hegseth’s remarks, accusing him of injecting politics into what should have been a celebration of the cadets’ achievements.
One commenter wrote, “You incompetent j—off! You’re playing political games!”
Another added, “You are incompetent and clueless! You are an embarrassment every time you open your mouth!” A third person commented, “You turned a commencement speech into a culture-war audition; cadets signed up for leadership lessons, not political theater.”
He also referenced Charlie Kirk in his speech (Image: AP)
Despite the backlash, Hegseth found support from one individual who endorsed his remarks, stating, “Finally! The military’s only job is to win wars, not handle PR. Merit over equity all day. Hegseth is giving West Point exactly what it needs.”
During the commencement address, Hegseth also referenced the late Charlie Kirk, former cofounder of Turning Point USA, while criticizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Kirk was assassinated in September 2025.
“Last and most importantly, seek God,” he urged before continuing, “And know that we are not him. It’s humbling. It’s also liberating. As Charlie Kirk often said, remember always, this too shall pass. The good times will pass, the bad times will pass. You’re never as good as you think you are, nor are you as bad as you think you are. Seek God in every circumstance.”
“Combat is the ultimate test, and our best Americans must ace it,” the defense secretary continued.
“West Point is set apart. It’s special. It’s above politics,” he declared in his passionate address. “Success here is based on merit. It’s how you perform that matters.
“Diversity is not our strength. Unity is our strength,” Hegseth concluded.
It comes after Trump reportedly erupted in fury at Hegseth following a humiliating error.
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