Defense Secretary Blocks Promotion of Four Army Officers

Hegseth's move raises concerns about potential discrimination against women and minority candidates

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:52am

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked the promotion of four Army officers to one-star general rank, a highly unusual move that has prompted senior military officials to question whether the officers are being singled out because of their race or gender. Two of the officers are Black and two are women on a promotion list that consists mostly of white men.

Why it matters

Hegseth's actions have raised concerns about the politicization of the military's traditionally apolitical and merit-based promotion system. His campaign to reverse policies aimed at diversifying the military's top ranks is eroding confidence in the fairness of the process.

The details

Hegseth had been pressing Army leaders for months to remove the four officers' names from the promotion list, but Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll repeatedly refused, citing the officers' exemplary records of service. Earlier this month, Hegseth unilaterally struck the officers' names from the list, though it's unclear if he has the legal authority to do so. The list is now being reviewed by the White House before going to the Senate for final approval.

  • In November 2024, a board of generals selected the officers for promotion to one-star general rank.
  • For months, Hegseth pressed Army leaders to remove the four officers' names from the list.
  • Earlier this month, Hegseth struck the four officers' names from the list.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Defense Secretary who has been blocking the promotion of four Army officers, raising concerns about potential discrimination.

Daniel P. Driscoll

The Army Secretary who repeatedly refused Hegseth's requests to remove the four officers' names from the promotion list, citing their exemplary records of service.

Ricky Buria

Hegseth's chief of staff, who chastised Driscoll for selecting a Black female officer to command the Military District of Washington.

Antoinette R. Gant

A combat engineer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was selected to command the Military District of Washington despite Buria's objections.

Anthony J. Tata

A retired brigadier general tapped by Hegseth to oversee the military's personnel overhaul, including reviewing one-star promotion lists.

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What they’re saying

“The president is not a racist or sexist.”

— Daniel P. Driscoll, Army Secretary

“Whoever placed this made up story is clearly trying to sow division among our ranks in the department and the administration. It's not going to work, and it will never work when this department is led by clear-eyed, mission-driven leaders unfazed by fake Washington gossip.”

— Ricky Buria, Hegseth's Chief of Staff

“Under Secretary Hegseth, military promotions are given to those who have earned them. The process is apolitical and unbiased.”

— Sean Parnell, Pentagon Spokesperson

“Hegseth is doing a tremendous job restoring meritocracy throughout the ranks at the Pentagon, as President Trump directed him to do.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

What’s next

The one-star promotion list is currently being reviewed by the White House, which is expected to send it to the Senate for final approval. It remains to be seen whether Hegseth's actions will withstand scrutiny.

The takeaway

Hegseth's move to block the promotion of four Army officers, two of whom are Black and two are women, has raised serious concerns about the potential politicization of the military's traditionally merit-based promotion system. This case highlights the growing tensions over efforts to diversify the military's top ranks.