The United States Army has revealed an updated fitness test that sets the same physical standards for men and women in combat positions, dropping one of its most debated exercises in the process.
The new Army Fitness Test (AFT), announced on Monday, will take the place of the existing Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). 
According to the Army, the AFT is meant to create a force that is "physically ready" for tough and unpredictable conditions. The new test will be rolled out in stages starting from 1 June 2025, with the gender-neutral scoring system coming into effect on 1 January 2026 for active-duty soldiers and 1 June 2026 for Reserve and National Guard members.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-fire-hegseth-ex-pentagon-official-says-whiskeyleaks-may-be-replaced-as-even-bigger-bombshell-stories-coming-this-week-8987965" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Trump to fire Hegseth? Ex-Pentagon official says 'Whiskeyleaks' may be replaced as 'even bigger bombshell stories coming'</a>
<h2>Push for equal standards</h2>
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stressed the importance of applying the same requirements to everyone in combat positions, regardless of gender.
&ldquo;Different standards for men and women in combat arms MOSes and jobs, that&rsquo;s not acceptable,&rdquo; he said in March. &ldquo;We need to have the same standard, male or female, in our combat roles,&rdquo; he added.
The updated requirements will apply to 21 combat-focused Military Occupational Specialties (MOSes), including infantry, Special Forces, and artillery. These roles will now be assessed using the male scoring chart.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-gate-20-pentagon-chief-dismisses-reports-on-alleged-info-leak-with-wife-says-media-ruining-reputation-8987453" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Leak, deny, repeat? Pete Hegseth accused of sharing military secrets with wife; dismisses reports</a>
"For those 21 MOSes, they will all be graded on the male scale, so it will be sex neutral," said Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann. 
&ldquo;The passing score for most people will be a 300 with a minimum of 60 in every event. For those in those 21 specialties, the passing score will be 350 with a minimum of 60 in every event,&rdquo; he added.
<h2>What&rsquo;s in the New AFT?</h2>
The AFT will include five events:
Three-rep max deadlift
Hand-release push-ups with Army extension
Sprint-drag-carry
Plank
Two-mile run
Combat-role soldiers will need to score at least 60 points per event and reach a total of 350 to pass. Noncombat roles will continue to use a performance-normed scoring system based on sex and age, requiring 300 points in total.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-fire-hegseth-ex-pentagon-official-says-whiskeyleaks-may-be-replaced-as-even-bigger-bombshell-stories-coming-this-week-8987965" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Trump to fire Hegseth? Ex-Pentagon official says 'Whiskeyleaks' may be replaced as 'even bigger bombshell stories coming'</a>
For women entering combat positions, the change marks a substantial increase in expectations. For example, under the previous test, a 17 to 21-year-old woman could pass by lifting 120 pounds. Now, she must lift 140 pounds. The sprint-drag-carry time also tightens from 3 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 minutes and 28 seconds.
Naumann made it clear, &ldquo;The one thing that&rsquo;s definite is no standard will be lowered.&rdquo;
Some have raised concerns that the new standards might affect women more. During the ACFT trials in 2019, 84% of women failed the test, compared to a 70% pass rate among men, a RAND Corporation study found. The Service Women&rsquo;s Action Network criticised the earlier rollout, calling it &ldquo;rash&rdquo; and warning that too many capable soldiers were failing.
Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-trump-backs-hegseth-after-reports-of-second-signal-chat-on-yemen-strikes-8989092">US President Trump backs Hegseth after reports of second Signal chat on Yemen strikes</a>

World: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stressed the importance of applying the same requirements to everyone in combat positions, regardless of gender.

The United States Army has revealed an updated fitness test that sets the same physical standards for men and women in combat positions, dropping one of its most debated exercises in the process. The new Army Fitness Test (AFT), announced on Monday, will take the place of the existing Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). According to the Army, the AFT is meant to create a force that is "physically ready" for tough and unpredictable conditions. The new test will be rolled out in stages starting from 1 June 2025, with the gender-neutral scoring system coming into effect on 1 January 2026 for active-duty soldiers and 1 June 2026 for Reserve and National Guard members. Also read: Trump to fire Hegseth? Ex-Pentagon official says 'Whiskeyleaks' may be replaced as 'even bigger bombshell stories coming' Push for equal standards Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stressed the importance of applying the same requirements to everyone in combat positions, regardless of gender. “Different standards for men and women in combat arms MOSes and jobs, that’s not acceptable,” he said in March. “We need to have the same standard, male or female, in our combat roles,” he added. The updated requirements will apply to 21 combat-focused Military Occupational Specialties (MOSes), including infantry, Special Forces, and artillery. These roles will now be assessed using the male scoring chart. Also read: Leak, deny, repeat? Pete Hegseth accused of sharing military secrets with wife; dismisses reports "For those 21 MOSes, they will all be graded on the male scale, so it will be sex neutral," said Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann. “The passing score for most people will be a 300 with a minimum of 60 in every event. For those in those 21 specialties, the passing score will be 350 with a minimum of 60 in every event,” he added. What’s in the New AFT? The AFT will include five events: Three-rep max deadlift Hand-release push-ups with Army extension Sprint-drag-carry Plank Two-mile run Combat-role soldiers will need to score at least 60 points per event and reach a total of 350 to pass. Noncombat roles will continue to use a performance-normed scoring system based on sex and age, requiring 300 points in total. Also read: Trump to fire Hegseth? Ex-Pentagon official says 'Whiskeyleaks' may be replaced as 'even bigger bombshell stories coming' For women entering combat positions, the change marks a substantial increase in expectations. For example, under the previous test, a 17 to 21-year-old woman could pass by lifting 120 pounds. Now, she must lift 140 pounds. The sprint-drag-carry time also tightens from 3 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 minutes and 28 seconds. Naumann made it clear, “The one thing that’s definite is no standard will be lowered.” Some have raised concerns that the new standards might affect women more. During the ACFT trials in 2019, 84% of women failed the test, compared to a 70% pass rate among men, a RAND Corporation study found. The Service Women’s Action Network criticised the earlier rollout, calling it “rash” and warning that too many capable soldiers were failing. Watch: US President Trump backs Hegseth after reports of second Signal chat on Yemen strikes

'Sex-neutral': US Army drops gendered scoring under Pete Hegseth - Women must now pass same tests as men

The US broadcaster NPR has claimed White House has begun the process of looking for a new Pentagon chief to replace Pete Hegseth and this comes after media reports that Hegseth had shared some sensitive military information in a group chat that included his wife his brother and also his lawyer. Watch in for more details!

Is Trump planning to replace Pete Hegseth as Pentagon chief amid Signal chat leak scandal?

Donald Trump is standing behind as Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said despite a new scandal. Trump's backing comes amid growing calls to fire the US defense secretary over his reported use of messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen with his wife and others.

US president Trump backs defence secretary after reports of second Signal chat leak

White House says no chance of Trump firing defence secretary

Donald Trump is standing behind as Pentagon chief Pete Heg said despite a new scandal. Trump's backing comes amid growing calls to fire the US defense secretary over his reported use of messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen with his wife and others.

US President backs Pete Hegseth despite new Signal chat scandal

Donald Trump's defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, is again in hot water after the reports that he shared key military information with his wife and other family members. This is the second Signal chat group apart from the previous one, which was created by Mile Waltz, but Hegseth was part of it.
A former Pentagon spokesperson has hinted that Hegseth might face the crackdown for the chat leak by the US president. In an opinion piece featured in Politico, John Ullyot said that Hegseth can be replaced any time soon by Trump. He said that the latest incident in the series of Signal chat leak saga may prompt Trump to fire his defence secretary due to the public crisis that began due to the chat leak and its aftermath.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-gate-20-pentagon-chief-dismisses-reports-on-alleged-info-leak-with-wife-says-media-ruining-reputation-8987453">Leak, deny, repeat? Pete Hegseth accused of sharing military secrets with wife; dismisses reports</a>
&ldquo;Donald Trump is known for demanding accountability from his top officials. Considering the light of recent events surrounding Pete Hegseth, it is difficult to imagine him staying in the position for very long," Ullyot wrote.&nbsp;
Ullyot is the same person who once praised Hegseth for being "well qualified" for the role of Trump's defence secretary in December.&nbsp;
He further added in the opinion piece that there has been a &ldquo;full-blown meltdown at the White House thanks to the Signal chat leak fiasco".&nbsp;
In a chilling warning, Ullyot added, &nbsp;"There are very likely more shoes to drop in short order, with even bigger bombshell stories coming this week."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-group-chat-leak-trumps-defense-secretary-hegseth-shared-details-of-yemen-attack-with-his-wife-and-family-8983897">Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family</a>
<h2>'Ruining my reputation'&nbsp;</h2>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-students-sue-pete-hegseth-for-banning-these-books-8970077">Pentagon students sue Pete Hegseth for banning THESE books</a>
Just after the reports of a second chat group by him, Hegseth denies the claim, saying that the media is trying to "ruin" his "reputation".&nbsp;
The US defence secretary, who was accused of sexual assaults just after the November elections, said, "This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations." &nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-allow-chinese-influence-over-panama-canal-defense-secretary-hegseth-8940767">US &lsquo;will not allow&rsquo; Chinese influence over Panama Canal: Defense Secretary Hegseth</a>

World | Donald Trump's defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, is again in hot water after reports that he shared key military information with his wife and other family members.

Donald Trump's defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, is again in hot water after the reports that he shared key military information with his wife and other family members. This is the second Signal chat group apart from the previous one, which was created by Mile Waltz, but Hegseth was part of it. A former Pentagon spokesperson has hinted that Hegseth might face the crackdown for the chat leak by the US president. In an opinion piece featured in Politico, John Ullyot said that Hegseth can be replaced any time soon by Trump. He said that the latest incident in the series of Signal chat leak saga may prompt Trump to fire his defence secretary due to the public crisis that began due to the chat leak and its aftermath. Also read: Leak, deny, repeat? Pete Hegseth accused of sharing military secrets with wife; dismisses reports “Donald Trump is known for demanding accountability from his top officials. Considering the light of recent events surrounding Pete Hegseth, it is difficult to imagine him staying in the position for very long," Ullyot wrote. Ullyot is the same person who once praised Hegseth for being "well qualified" for the role of Trump's defence secretary in December. He further added in the opinion piece that there has been a “full-blown meltdown at the White House thanks to the Signal chat leak fiasco". In a chilling warning, Ullyot added, "There are very likely more shoes to drop in short order, with even bigger bombshell stories coming this week." Also read: Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family 'Ruining my reputation' Also read: Pentagon students sue Pete Hegseth for banning THESE books Just after the reports of a second chat group by him, Hegseth denies the claim, saying that the media is trying to "ruin" his "reputation". The US defence secretary, who was accused of sexual assaults just after the November elections, said, "This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations." Also read: US ‘will not allow’ Chinese influence over Panama Canal: Defense Secretary Hegseth

Trump to fire Hegseth? Ex-Pentagon official says 'Whiskeyleaks' may be replaced as 'even bigger bombshell stories coming'

US Defence Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a> has responded to a reporter at the White House on Monday (Apr 21) following allegations of sharing sensitive military information with his wife, brother, and lawyer.
It is the second time the Pentagon chief has been accused of leaking confidential information about airstrikes on Yemen on the Signal messaging app to unauthorised people.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-group-chat-leak-trumps-defense-secretary-hegseth-shared-details-of-yemen-attack-with-his-wife-and-family-8983897">Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family</a>
&ldquo;This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations,&rdquo; Hegseth said, adding, &ldquo;Not going to work with me.&rdquo;
Hegseth is facing increasing criticism with three ex-staffers and a former Pentagon press secretary calling for him to be removed from the position. Several Democratic lawmakers have also voiced similar views on Hegseth.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-students-sue-pete-hegseth-for-banning-these-books-8970077">Pentagon students sue Pete Hegseth for banning THESE books</a>
&ldquo;Trump&rsquo;s Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has now leaked classified military plans TWICE -- this time through a unsecured Signal chat on a personal device to friends and family. He's a walking national security disaster and needs to resign or be fired,&rdquo; Representative Jim McGovern said.
Senators Mark Warner, Andy Kim and Elissa Slotkin have also called for Hegseth to quit.
&ldquo;Our military and our country deserve serious leaders. If he cared about the institution he's leading, he should man up, acknowledge he's a distraction to the military's mission, and resign,&rdquo; said Slotkin.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-allow-chinese-influence-over-panama-canal-defense-secretary-hegseth-8940767">US &lsquo;will not allow&rsquo; Chinese influence over Panama Canal: Defense Secretary Hegseth</a>
However, US President Donald Trump has backed Hegseth, saying &ldquo;he&rsquo;s doing a great job&rdquo; and dismissed the reports, calling them &ldquo;fake news&rdquo;.
<h2>Signal chat leaks</h2>
Last month, The Atlantic magazine revealed that its editor-in-chief was added in a Signal chat where top Trump officials, including Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, discussed the March 15 Yemen strikes. The incident sparked criticism of the Trump administration, prompting a Pentagon inspector general&rsquo;s probe into Hegseth&rsquo;s use of Signal.
Watch | Signal Gate 2.0: US Defence Secretary Hegseth Mired In Controversy
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2104_DEFENCESECRETARY_8PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2104_DEFENCESECRETARY_8PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=466&amp;tags=US, World News, WION" title="Signal Gate 2.0: US Defence Secretary Hegseth Mired In Controversy " id="PL_iframe_block-m9rdb569-394za5g9-xl1wzkat"></iframe>
On Sunday (Apr 20), the New York Times and CNN reported that the Pentagon chief had shared information in another Signal group chat on the same strikes. Reportedly, the information disclosed by Hegseth included flight schedules for warplanes that targeted Yemen&rsquo;s Huthi rebels.
The reports citing anonymous sources added that the chat included his wife, Jennifer, a journalist and former Fox News producer. The group also included his brother Phil and lawyer Tim Parlatore, both of whom serve in roles at the Pentagon.
Last week, three senior officials were removed amid the ongoing investigations into the alleged leaks.

It is the second time the Pentagon chief has been accused of leaking confidential information about airstrikes on Yemen on the Signal messaging app to unauthorised people. World | Trending

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has responded to a reporter at the White House on Monday (Apr 21) following allegations of sharing sensitive military information with his wife, brother, and lawyer. It is the second time the Pentagon chief has been accused of leaking confidential information about airstrikes on Yemen on the Signal messaging app to unauthorised people. Also read | Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family “This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations,” Hegseth said, adding, “Not going to work with me.” Hegseth is facing increasing criticism with three ex-staffers and a former Pentagon press secretary calling for him to be removed from the position. Several Democratic lawmakers have also voiced similar views on Hegseth. Also read | Pentagon students sue Pete Hegseth for banning THESE books “Trump’s Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has now leaked classified military plans TWICE -- this time through a unsecured Signal chat on a personal device to friends and family. He's a walking national security disaster and needs to resign or be fired,” Representative Jim McGovern said. Senators Mark Warner, Andy Kim and Elissa Slotkin have also called for Hegseth to quit. “Our military and our country deserve serious leaders. If he cared about the institution he's leading, he should man up, acknowledge he's a distraction to the military's mission, and resign,” said Slotkin. Also read | US ‘will not allow’ Chinese influence over Panama Canal: Defense Secretary Hegseth However, US President Donald Trump has backed Hegseth, saying “he’s doing a great job” and dismissed the reports, calling them “fake news”. Signal chat leaks Last month, The Atlantic magazine revealed that its editor-in-chief was added in a Signal chat where top Trump officials, including Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, discussed the March 15 Yemen strikes. The incident sparked criticism of the Trump administration, prompting a Pentagon inspector general’s probe into Hegseth’s use of Signal. Watch | Signal Gate 2.0: US Defence Secretary Hegseth Mired In Controversy On Sunday (Apr 20), the New York Times and CNN reported that the Pentagon chief had shared information in another Signal group chat on the same strikes. Reportedly, the information disclosed by Hegseth included flight schedules for warplanes that targeted Yemen’s Huthi rebels. The reports citing anonymous sources added that the chat included his wife, Jennifer, a journalist and former Fox News producer. The group also included his brother Phil and lawyer Tim Parlatore, both of whom serve in roles at the Pentagon. Last week, three senior officials were removed amid the ongoing investigations into the alleged leaks.

Leak, deny, repeat? Pete Hegseth accused of sharing military secrets with wife; dismisses reports

In a new update on the Signal group chat leak, reports are that Donald Trump's defence secretary, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobody-was-texting-war-plans-hegseth-denies-texting-yemen-war-plans-calls-journalist-deceitful-8887113">Pete Hegseth</a>, had shared a piece of detailed information about the military strike on Yemen in March with his wife. Hegseth's other family members, such as his brother and about a dozen other people, were also part of the group chat created by him for the planned attacks by the US.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-he-wont-fire-anyone-involved-in-signal-group-chat-as-its-witch-hunt-fake-news-8905633">Trump says he won't fire anyone involved in Signal group chat as it is 'witch hunt', 'fake news'</a>
Hegseth shared the information in his own separate group chat, The New York Times reported, and The Guardian confirmed.&nbsp;
As per the sources familiar with the matter, Hegseth shared some of the same information in his chat that he also shared with another Signal group of top officials that was created by Mike Waltz. Among the shared information, Hegseth sent details of the F/A-18 Hornets that would strike Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/green-light-on-yemen-raid-snl-mocks-trump-administration-signal-chat-leak-scandal-watch-8908044">&lsquo;Green light on Yemen raid!&rsquo; SNL mocks Trump administration Signal chat leak scandal | WATCH</a>
The Signal group chat came into headlines last month, where it was found that Donald Trump's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, had created a group on the messaging app in which detailed attack plans were divulged by Hegseth and other US administration officials. The group was exposed by the American journalist &nbsp;Jeffrey Goldberg, who was accidentally added to the group by Waltz.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-reiterates-plans-to-get-greenland-says-should-not-talk-about-signal-chat-leak-during-interview-8907150">Trump reiterates plans to get Greenland, says &lsquo;should not talk about&rsquo; Signal chat leak during interview</a>
According to the Times, the private chat by Hegseth also included two senior advisers of the US defence secretary &ndash; Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick &ndash; who were fired last week after being accused of leaking unauthorised information.
Meanwhile, a video is resurfacing on the internet in which Hegseth said that Biden needs to be held accountable for &ldquo;handling classified documents flippantly.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9qmfdyq-ruu1h96t-qy9suhq2">
In a newly resurfaced video from 2023, Pete Hegseth said that Biden needs to be held accountable for &ldquo;handling classified documents flippantly.&rdquo; Now, Hegseth has leaked classified info in TWO separate Signal group chats. Irony strikes again. <a href="https://t.co/GOLb6uEMhL">pic.twitter.com/GOLb6uEMhL</a>
&mdash; Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) <a href="https://twitter.com/harryjsisson/status/1914114759869292613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-could-have-gotten-democrat-warns-of-possible-deaths-due-to-signal-chat-leak-8894449">&lsquo;Russia, China could have gotten...&rsquo;: Democrat warns of possible deaths due to Signal chat leak</a>
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World | Hegseth's other family members, such as his brother and about a dozen other people, were also part of the group chat created by him for the planned attacks by the US.

In a new update on the Signal group chat leak, reports are that Donald Trump's defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, had shared a piece of detailed information about the military strike on Yemen in March with his wife. Hegseth's other family members, such as his brother and about a dozen other people, were also part of the group chat created by him for the planned attacks by the US. Also read: Trump says he won't fire anyone involved in Signal group chat as it is 'witch hunt', 'fake news' Hegseth shared the information in his own separate group chat, The New York Times reported, and The Guardian confirmed. As per the sources familiar with the matter, Hegseth shared some of the same information in his chat that he also shared with another Signal group of top officials that was created by Mike Waltz. Among the shared information, Hegseth sent details of the F/A-18 Hornets that would strike Houthi rebel targets in Yemen. Also read: ‘Green light on Yemen raid!’ SNL mocks Trump administration Signal chat leak scandal | WATCH The Signal group chat came into headlines last month, where it was found that Donald Trump's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, had created a group on the messaging app in which detailed attack plans were divulged by Hegseth and other US administration officials. The group was exposed by the American journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, who was accidentally added to the group by Waltz. Also read: Trump reiterates plans to get Greenland, says ‘should not talk about’ Signal chat leak during interview According to the Times, the private chat by Hegseth also included two senior advisers of the US defence secretary – Dan Caldwell and Darin Selnick – who were fired last week after being accused of leaking unauthorised information. Meanwhile, a video is resurfacing on the internet in which Hegseth said that Biden needs to be held accountable for “handling classified documents flippantly.” In a newly resurfaced video from 2023, Pete Hegseth said that Biden needs to be held accountable for “handling classified documents flippantly.” Now, Hegseth has leaked classified info in TWO separate Signal group chats. Irony strikes again. pic.twitter.com/GOLb6uEMhL — Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) April 21, 2025 Also read: ‘Russia, China could have gotten...’: Democrat warns of possible deaths due to Signal chat leak (With inputs from agencies)

Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family

Pentagon schools in the US and across the globe are suing US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Twelve students have picked up the baton to fight the ban on books by Hegseth, whose aim is to remove titles on gender and race from their reading material in the libraries.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit has been lodged on behalf of the students on Tuesday. It argues that the decision attacks the first amendment rights are can cause irrepable harm and may be in a hinderance in the learning process.
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-vs-ivy-league-showdown-escalates-harvard-says-federal-demands-violate-academic-freedom-8969747">Trump vs Ivy League showdown escalates: Harvard says federal demands violate academic freedom</a>
The censorship has been applied on all Pentagon schools. In the larger scheme of things, it will be refusing children acess to critical information on biology, abuse, health and hygience among other things.
&ldquo;The quality of children&rsquo;s education, their exposure to ideas and the preparing of citizens in the next generation are all being harmed by this censorship,&rdquo; Emerson Sykes, the ACLU&rsquo;s senior staff attorney and the lead counsel in the case was quoted in the news outlet Guardian.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/should-india-allow-the-streaming-of-netflixs-adolescence-in-indian-schools-like-keir-starmer-has-in-the-uk-8929116">Should India allow the streaming of Netflix&rsquo;s Adolescence in Indian schools, like Keir Starmer has in the UK?</a>
&ldquo;This is not how public schools are supposed to work &ndash; students have a right to learn and to access information that should be above the political fray," he added.
The suit also brought to light that children&rsquo;s yearbook entries have begun to be rid of content related to gender. A circular by the school management read: "Student yearbooks are not to include any visual depictions, written content, or editorial choices that would directly or indirectly support the instruction, advancement, and/or promotion of &lsquo;gender ideology&rsquo; and/or &lsquo;social transition."
And the Pentagon schools students staging protests against this move have been warned that they could face disciplinary action.
&nbsp;

Twelve students have picked up the baton to fight the ban on books by Hegseth, whose aim is to remove titles on gender and race from their reading material in the libraries. World

Pentagon schools in the US and across the globe are suing US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Twelve students have picked up the baton to fight the ban on books by Hegseth, whose aim is to remove titles on gender and race from their reading material in the libraries. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit has been lodged on behalf of the students on Tuesday. It argues that the decision attacks the first amendment rights are can cause irrepable harm and may be in a hinderance in the learning process. WATCH | Trump vs Ivy League showdown escalates: Harvard says federal demands violate academic freedom The censorship has been applied on all Pentagon schools. In the larger scheme of things, it will be refusing children acess to critical information on biology, abuse, health and hygience among other things. “The quality of children’s education, their exposure to ideas and the preparing of citizens in the next generation are all being harmed by this censorship,” Emerson Sykes, the ACLU’s senior staff attorney and the lead counsel in the case was quoted in the news outlet Guardian. Also read: Should India allow the streaming of Netflix’s Adolescence in Indian schools, like Keir Starmer has in the UK? “This is not how public schools are supposed to work – students have a right to learn and to access information that should be above the political fray," he added. The suit also brought to light that children’s yearbook entries have begun to be rid of content related to gender. A circular by the school management read: "Student yearbooks are not to include any visual depictions, written content, or editorial choices that would directly or indirectly support the instruction, advancement, and/or promotion of ‘gender ideology’ and/or ‘social transition." And the Pentagon schools students staging protests against this move have been warned that they could face disciplinary action.

Pentagon students sue Pete Hegseth for banning THESE books

The US is looking to revive its military presence in Panama, citing the need to secure the Panama Canal. While initial reports suggested Panama agreed to grant access to US bases, officials later clarified they won’t host permanent military facilities. The move has sparked tensions with China, which accuses the US of using security as a cover for control.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth  emphasises need to protect Panama Canal

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> brushed off questions about an investigation into Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss military operations, calling it a &ldquo;wasted story.&rdquo;
The Pentagon&rsquo;s Inspector General confirmed on Thursday that it had launched an inquiry into whether Hegseth and other Department of Defense (DoD) officials violated policy by using an unauthorised app to share sensitive information.
Aboard <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-fires-nsc-officials-who-are-they-impact-on-us-national-security-8924331">Air Force One</a>, a reporter asked Trump if he had any comments on the investigation. &ldquo;On Pete Hegseth and this IG investigation, do you want to weigh in on that?&rdquo; the reporter asked, in a clip later shared on X.
&ldquo;What &mdash; what is it?&rdquo; Trump responded. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s an IG investigation into the secretary of Defense&rsquo;s use of the Signal app,&rdquo; the reporter clarified.
Trump, appearing irritated, dismissed the question. &ldquo;Oh, I don&rsquo;t &mdash; you&rsquo;re bringing that up again? Don&rsquo;t bring that up again. Your editors probably &mdash; that&rsquo;s such a wasted story. So what else?&rdquo; he said.
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<h2>Probe into Hegseth&rsquo;s Signal messages</h2>
The Pentagon&rsquo;s Inspector General is examining whether Hegseth&rsquo;s use of Signal to discuss US&nbsp;military airstrikes in Yemen on 15 March breached security policies. A memo from acting Inspector General Steve Stebbins stated that the investigation aims to assess whether DoD personnel followed procedures when using a commercial messaging app for official business.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-chat-row-pentagon-launches-probe-into-pete-hegseth-over-military-operations-leak-8923745">Signal chat row: Pentagon launches probe into Pete&nbsp;Hegseth over leak of sensitive military information</a>
The Atlantic had previously published messages showing Hegseth sharing operational details about the attacks against Houthi militants. These messages reportedly included launch times of F-18 fighter jets, bomb drop timings, and naval Tomahawk missile launches&mdash;before the operation had even taken place.
The White House and Hegseth have strongly defended the messages, arguing they were merely &ldquo;team updates&rdquo; that did not contain classified sources or intelligence methods.
However, the Pentagon&rsquo;s own classification rules indicate that such details would typically be marked at least at the &ldquo;secret&rdquo; level, with some of the real-time updates potentially classified at an even higher level. One of Hegseth&rsquo;s messages even included the phrase &ldquo;clean on OPSEC&rdquo; (operational security), suggesting he was aware of the sensitivity of the information being shared.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Trump, appearing irritated, dismissed the question. “Oh, I don’t — you’re bringing that up again? Don’t bring that up again. Your editors probably — that’s such a wasted story. So what else?” he said.

US President Donald Trump brushed off questions about an investigation into Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss military operations, calling it a “wasted story.” The Pentagon’s Inspector General confirmed on Thursday that it had launched an inquiry into whether Hegseth and other Department of Defense (DoD) officials violated policy by using an unauthorised app to share sensitive information. Aboard Air Force One, a reporter asked Trump if he had any comments on the investigation. “On Pete Hegseth and this IG investigation, do you want to weigh in on that?” the reporter asked, in a clip later shared on X. “What — what is it?” Trump responded. “There’s an IG investigation into the secretary of Defense’s use of the Signal app,” the reporter clarified. Trump, appearing irritated, dismissed the question. “Oh, I don’t — you’re bringing that up again? Don’t bring that up again. Your editors probably — that’s such a wasted story. So what else?” he said. Also read: 'Pentagon will pay': Did Trump shot US weapon production in foot with reciprocal tariffs? F-35, NATO partnerships at risk Probe into Hegseth’s Signal messages The Pentagon’s Inspector General is examining whether Hegseth’s use of Signal to discuss US military airstrikes in Yemen on 15 March breached security policies. A memo from acting Inspector General Steve Stebbins stated that the investigation aims to assess whether DoD personnel followed procedures when using a commercial messaging app for official business. Also read: Signal chat row: Pentagon launches probe into Pete Hegseth over leak of sensitive military information The Atlantic had previously published messages showing Hegseth sharing operational details about the attacks against Houthi militants. These messages reportedly included launch times of F-18 fighter jets, bomb drop timings, and naval Tomahawk missile launches—before the operation had even taken place. The White House and Hegseth have strongly defended the messages, arguing they were merely “team updates” that did not contain classified sources or intelligence methods. However, the Pentagon’s own classification rules indicate that such details would typically be marked at least at the “secret” level, with some of the real-time updates potentially classified at an even higher level. One of Hegseth’s messages even included the phrase “clean on OPSEC” (operational security), suggesting he was aware of the sensitivity of the information being shared. (With inputs from agencies)

'Don’t bring that up again': Trump snaps at reporter over Hegseth leak scandal question calls it a 'wasted story'

Pentagon inspector general's office to launch a probe into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive information about military operations in Yemen.

Inspector general's office looking into Hegseth's use of app

Signalgate leak: Pentagon launches probe into Pete Hegseth

#Gravitas The United States appears to be shifting its military focus solely towards China. A secret Pentagon memo revealed that the U.S. military is being realigned to counter a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, while reducing its presence in other global hotspots.

Secret Pentagon memo names China number 1 enemy

A leaked Pentagon memo calls for the US military to prioritize resources against China, labeling it the "sole threat." The guidance emphasizes troop presence and warns against a potential Taiwan takeover.

Pentagon memo urges US military to prioritise its resources on China

Jennifer Hegseth, the wife of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, has reportedly been present at sensitive military intelligence meetings, raising concerns over access to classified information.
Following the recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report on a Pentagon group chat leak involving a journalist, new claims suggest Jennifer has attended at least two high-level defence meetings.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pete-hegseth-shows-off-kafir-tattoo-netizens-slam-trump-advisers-islamophobia-heres-why-the-tattoo-is-controversial-8899267">Pete Hegseth shows off 'Kafir' tattoo; netizens slam Trump adviser's 'islamophobia'. Here's why it is controversial</a>
While it is not unusual for spouses of senior officials to hold lower-tier security clearances, a Pentagon spokesperson refused to confirm whether Jennifer has such clearance, according to WSJ.
<h2>Presence at military meetings</h2>
Jennifer Hegseth, a former Fox News producer and wife of the Defence Secretary since 2019, was allegedly present at a Pentagon meeting on 6 March. 
That meeting included UK Defence Secretary John Healey and the head of the UK&rsquo;s armed forces. Discussions focused on President Trump&rsquo;s decision to suspend military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.
She was also reportedly present at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting in Brussels last month. Defence allies gathered there to discuss military support for Ukraine, and officials familiar with these discussions noted that sensitive information is often exchanged.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-names-no-targets-no-locations-pete-hegseth-defends-himself-over-leak-of-shty-war-plans-8895469">'No names. No targets. No locations': Hegseth defends himself over leak of 'sh**ty war plans'</a>
<h2>Family involvement raises concerns</h2>
The WSJ report comes as Pete Hegseth attempts to reassure the public about his ability to safeguard military intelligence following the controversial Signal group chat leak. That incident saw a journalist gain access to discussions about planned US airstrikes in Yemen. The leak has sparked mixed reactions within the Republican Party, while at least one House Democrat has questioned Hegseth&rsquo;s sobriety at the time of the breach.
Despite these controversies, Hegseth has continued to rely on close family members. Reports from the Associated Press (AP) indicate that his younger brother, Phil Hegseth, has been actively involved as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) liaison.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-gate-trump-yemen-houthi-attack-plan-leak-to-journalist-defence-seretary-pete-hegseth-sued-read-signalgate-latest-8891853">Trump Yemen war plan leak scandal: US defence secy Pete Hegseth, others sued over leak of Signal chats to journalist</a>
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that Phil Hegseth had accompanied the Defence Secretary on a trip to meet law enforcement representatives across the Pacific. The visit included stops in Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Japan, as well as a meeting with UFC fighter Conor McGregor.
Although federal laws prohibit government officials from directly hiring relatives, the AP suggested that the Hegseth brothers may have circumvented this rule by working in different departments.
In response to the WSJ report, Sean Davis, CEO of the conservative publication The Federalist, defended Hegseth by comparing the situation to former First Lady Jill Biden&rsquo;s alleged involvement in government meetings.
&ldquo;Sorry, @WSJ, but you don&rsquo;t get to play this game after yawning when Jill Biden ran cabinet meetings because Joe Biden&rsquo;s brain was pudding&mdash;a fact you helped cover up for years,&rdquo; Davis tweeted.
The Pentagon has yet to comment further on Jennifer Hegseth&rsquo;s access to classified discussions.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-want-hegseth-waltz-to-resign-over-war-plan-leak-gabbard-claims-no-classified-material-in-signal-chat-8890127">Democrats want Hegseth, Waltz to resign over war plan leak; Gabbard claims 'no classified material'&nbsp;in&nbsp;Signal&nbsp;chat</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Jennifer Hegseth, a former Fox News producer and wife of the Defence Secretary since 2019, was allegedly present at a Pentagon meeting on 6 March.

Jennifer Hegseth, the wife of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, has reportedly been present at sensitive military intelligence meetings, raising concerns over access to classified information. Following the recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report on a Pentagon group chat leak involving a journalist, new claims suggest Jennifer has attended at least two high-level defence meetings. Also read: Pete Hegseth shows off 'Kafir' tattoo; netizens slam Trump adviser's 'islamophobia'. Here's why it is controversial While it is not unusual for spouses of senior officials to hold lower-tier security clearances, a Pentagon spokesperson refused to confirm whether Jennifer has such clearance, according to WSJ. Presence at military meetings Jennifer Hegseth, a former Fox News producer and wife of the Defence Secretary since 2019, was allegedly present at a Pentagon meeting on 6 March. That meeting included UK Defence Secretary John Healey and the head of the UK’s armed forces. Discussions focused on President Trump’s decision to suspend military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. She was also reportedly present at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting in Brussels last month. Defence allies gathered there to discuss military support for Ukraine, and officials familiar with these discussions noted that sensitive information is often exchanged. Also read: 'No names. No targets. No locations': Hegseth defends himself over leak of 'sh**ty war plans' Family involvement raises concerns The WSJ report comes as Pete Hegseth attempts to reassure the public about his ability to safeguard military intelligence following the controversial Signal group chat leak. That incident saw a journalist gain access to discussions about planned US airstrikes in Yemen. The leak has sparked mixed reactions within the Republican Party, while at least one House Democrat has questioned Hegseth’s sobriety at the time of the breach. Despite these controversies, Hegseth has continued to rely on close family members. Reports from the Associated Press (AP) indicate that his younger brother, Phil Hegseth, has been actively involved as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) liaison. Also read: Trump Yemen war plan leak scandal: US defence secy Pete Hegseth, others sued over leak of Signal chats to journalist A DHS spokesperson confirmed that Phil Hegseth had accompanied the Defence Secretary on a trip to meet law enforcement representatives across the Pacific. The visit included stops in Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Japan, as well as a meeting with UFC fighter Conor McGregor. Although federal laws prohibit government officials from directly hiring relatives, the AP suggested that the Hegseth brothers may have circumvented this rule by working in different departments. In response to the WSJ report, Sean Davis, CEO of the conservative publication The Federalist, defended Hegseth by comparing the situation to former First Lady Jill Biden’s alleged involvement in government meetings. “Sorry, @WSJ, but you don’t get to play this game after yawning when Jill Biden ran cabinet meetings because Joe Biden’s brain was pudding—a fact you helped cover up for years,” Davis tweeted. The Pentagon has yet to comment further on Jennifer Hegseth’s access to classified discussions. Also read: Democrats want Hegseth, Waltz to resign over war plan leak; Gabbard claims 'no classified material' in Signal chat (With inputs from agencies)

After Signal leak fallout, Pete Hegseth faces new scrutiny as wife attends Ukraine war meetings without clearance

After the Singal app's data leak, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing heat for bringing his wife to military meetings. Watch this report for more details!

Hegseth brought wife to 'sensitive' military meetings: Report

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Trump administration would boost military ties with the Philippines to strengthen deterrence against “threats from the communist Chinese” and ensure freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea.

US vows military ties with Philippines amid Chinese aggression

The US Secretary of Defense has courted fresh controversy, thanks to a tattoo on his right forearm which in Arabic script reads 'Kafir', meaning 'infidel' or 'non-believer'. Why is a tattoo that Hegseth got before he entered office generating a buzz now? Watch this video to find out more.

Critics slam Hegseth's tattoo, claiming it propagates Islamophobia

Hegseth is presently on his maiden official tour to East Asia. He met with the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the two countries must stand “shoulder to shoulder” in the face of the threat represented by China. Meanwhile, back home, Hegseth remains in the thick of the Signal gate row over leaked chats of U.S. military operations in Yemen. Watch this video to find out more.

US bolsters Philippines defence with 'gamechanger missiles'

The private data of top security advisers to US President Donald Trump has been found online, according to a report published on Wednesday (Mar 26). This new revelation adds further fallout to the previous revelations of serious security lapses within the Trump administration. &nbsp;
It comes as a discussion on Yemen war plans was leaked after a journalist was "accidentally" added to a chat group which included the US vice president, defence secretary, secretary of state and some other members.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/who-is-jeffrey-goldberg-the-journalist-accidentally-sent-classified-yemen-war-plan-8887509">Who is Jeffrey Goldberg? The journalist accidentally sent classified Yemen war plan</a>
<h2>Trump admin's sensitive info out on the internet</h2>
As per a report by German news magazine Der Spiegel, mobile phone numbers, email addresses, and in some cases passwords linked to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been discovered through commercial data-search services and hacked databases.
While it is unclear how recent all the leaked details are, some of the information is believed to be current.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-houthi-attack-plan-what-did-the-leaked-yemen-strike-chat-reveal-8894236">Trump Houthi attack plan: What did the leaked Yemen strike chat 'reveal'?</a>
The disclosure comes as the Trump administration faces bipartisan calls for resignations following Monday's revelations that top officials had used an unsecured Signal group chat to discuss classified military plans for airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels. The chat included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others, raising concerns over the security of US military operations. &nbsp;
<h2>Security breach sparks alarm &nbsp;</h2>
The report states that Hegseth's personal information was "particularly easy" to locate, with his email address appearing in over 20 data breaches. In some cases, the email address and even associated passwords were accessible. His phone number, which had recently been linked to WhatsApp, appears to have only been deleted in the wake of the revelations. &nbsp;
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Both Gabbard and Waltz's numbers were also linked to WhatsApp and Signal accounts, potentially leaving them vulnerable to spyware. Der Spiegel warned that foreign intelligence agencies may have monitored their communications, including the now-infamous Signal group chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg.&nbsp;
Details of the chat, which contained sensitive military discussions, were published by The Atlantic on Wednesday.&nbsp;
The National Security Council claimed that the compromised Waltz accounts and passwords had been changed in 2019. However, the new revelation has led to the argument that this exposes major weaknesses in how the Trump administration handles sensitive information. &nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Trending | World | Phone numbers, email addresses, and even passwords of NSA Mike Waltz, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were discovered online.

The private data of top security advisers to US President Donald Trump has been found online, according to a report published on Wednesday (Mar 26). This new revelation adds further fallout to the previous revelations of serious security lapses within the Trump administration. It comes as a discussion on Yemen war plans was leaked after a journalist was "accidentally" added to a chat group which included the US vice president, defence secretary, secretary of state and some other members. Also read | Who is Jeffrey Goldberg? The journalist accidentally sent classified Yemen war plan Trump admin's sensitive info out on the internet As per a report by German news magazine Der Spiegel, mobile phone numbers, email addresses, and in some cases passwords linked to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been discovered through commercial data-search services and hacked databases. While it is unclear how recent all the leaked details are, some of the information is believed to be current. Also read | Trump Houthi attack plan: What did the leaked Yemen strike chat 'reveal'? The disclosure comes as the Trump administration faces bipartisan calls for resignations following Monday's revelations that top officials had used an unsecured Signal group chat to discuss classified military plans for airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels. The chat included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others, raising concerns over the security of US military operations. Security breach sparks alarm The report states that Hegseth's personal information was "particularly easy" to locate, with his email address appearing in over 20 data breaches. In some cases, the email address and even associated passwords were accessible. His phone number, which had recently been linked to WhatsApp, appears to have only been deleted in the wake of the revelations. Also read | Zelensky declares Putin 'will die soon' as Ukraine continues to endure Russian attacks Both Gabbard and Waltz's numbers were also linked to WhatsApp and Signal accounts, potentially leaving them vulnerable to spyware. Der Spiegel warned that foreign intelligence agencies may have monitored their communications, including the now-infamous Signal group chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Details of the chat, which contained sensitive military discussions, were published by The Atlantic on Wednesday. The National Security Council claimed that the compromised Waltz accounts and passwords had been changed in 2019. However, the new revelation has led to the argument that this exposes major weaknesses in how the Trump administration handles sensitive information. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump's top advisers' private data found online amid Yemen war plans group chat scandal

The White House on Monday (March 24) admitted that a journalist was mistakenly included in a messaging group where top US officials, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, discussed planned military strikes in Yemen.
On Monday, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said, &ldquo;We are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-has-influenced-some-in-white-house-zelensky-accuses-us-of-falling-for-russian-propaganda-8886917">'Russia has influenced some in White House': Zelensky accuses US of falling for Russian propaganda</a>
<h2>Here's what happened:</h2>
The issue came to light after The Atlantic published an article by its editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. In it, he revealed that he had been unexpectedly added to a Signal group chat where confidential military operations were being discussed.
&ldquo;US national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn&rsquo;t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling,&rdquo; Goldberg wrote, adding, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never seen a breach quite like this.&rdquo;
According to Goldberg, the conversation began on Tuesday, 11 March, when he was added to a Signal group titled &ldquo;Houthi PC small group.&rdquo; Over the following days, the group discussed detailed plans for airstrikes targeting the Houthis in Yemen, who have been attacking Western ships in the Red Sea for over a year.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/were-still-waiting-for-you-zelensky-says-he-invited-jd-vance-again-to-visit-ukraine-8886895">&lsquo;We&rsquo;re still waiting for you&rsquo;: Zelensky says he invited JD Vance again to visit Ukraine</a>
Goldberg said that messages in the group included highly sensitive and classified information, with participants identifying themselves as senior figures in the Trump administration, including Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance.
In one message, &ldquo;Michael Waltz&rdquo; wrote: &ldquo;Team &ndash; establishing a principles [sic] group for coordination on Houthis, particularly for over the next 72 hours. My deputy Alex Wong is pulling together a tiger team at deputies/agency Chief of Staff level following up from the meeting in the [Situation Room] this morning for action items and will be sending that out later this evening.&rdquo;
Other users followed up by naming representatives for various departments, including the CIA, Treasury, and National Security Council. Pete Hegseth named Dan Caldwell to represent the Pentagon.
Despite his doubts about the group&rsquo;s authenticity, Goldberg said the participants went on to share classified discussions about targets, timing, and potential consequences of the planned strikes. At one point, Vice President Vance voiced hesitation, saying he believed the administration was &ldquo;making a mistake&rdquo; by moving forward so quickly, though he agreed to back the majority view.
Hegseth argued against delaying the strikes, saying that any hold-up could risk leaks and make the administration appear &ldquo;indecisive.&rdquo; He wrote, &ldquo;We are prepared to execute, and if I had final go or no go vote, I believe we should. This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which [former President Joe Biden] cratered.&rdquo;
On Friday, 15 March, at 11:44 AM ET, Goldberg received a &ldquo;team update&rdquo; from Hegseth that reportedly contained operational details about the airstrikes &mdash; including targets, weapons, and timing. Just two hours later, explosions were heard in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The issue came to light after The Atlantic published an article by its editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. In it, he revealed that he had been unexpectedly added to a Signal group chat where confidential military operations were being discussed.

The White House on Monday (March 24) admitted that a journalist was mistakenly included in a messaging group where top US officials, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, discussed planned military strikes in Yemen. On Monday, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said, “We are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain.” Also read: 'Russia has influenced some in White House': Zelensky accuses US of falling for Russian propaganda Here's what happened: The issue came to light after The Atlantic published an article by its editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. In it, he revealed that he had been unexpectedly added to a Signal group chat where confidential military operations were being discussed. “US national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling,” Goldberg wrote, adding, “I’ve never seen a breach quite like this.” According to Goldberg, the conversation began on Tuesday, 11 March, when he was added to a Signal group titled “Houthi PC small group.” Over the following days, the group discussed detailed plans for airstrikes targeting the Houthis in Yemen, who have been attacking Western ships in the Red Sea for over a year. Also read: ‘We’re still waiting for you’: Zelensky says he invited JD Vance again to visit Ukraine Goldberg said that messages in the group included highly sensitive and classified information, with participants identifying themselves as senior figures in the Trump administration, including Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance. In one message, “Michael Waltz” wrote: “Team – establishing a principles [sic] group for coordination on Houthis, particularly for over the next 72 hours. My deputy Alex Wong is pulling together a tiger team at deputies/agency Chief of Staff level following up from the meeting in the [Situation Room] this morning for action items and will be sending that out later this evening.” Other users followed up by naming representatives for various departments, including the CIA, Treasury, and National Security Council. Pete Hegseth named Dan Caldwell to represent the Pentagon. Despite his doubts about the group’s authenticity, Goldberg said the participants went on to share classified discussions about targets, timing, and potential consequences of the planned strikes. At one point, Vice President Vance voiced hesitation, saying he believed the administration was “making a mistake” by moving forward so quickly, though he agreed to back the majority view. Hegseth argued against delaying the strikes, saying that any hold-up could risk leaks and make the administration appear “indecisive.” He wrote, “We are prepared to execute, and if I had final go or no go vote, I believe we should. This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish deterrence, which [former President Joe Biden] cratered.” On Friday, 15 March, at 11:44 AM ET, Goldberg received a “team update” from Hegseth that reportedly contained operational details about the airstrikes — including targets, weapons, and timing. Just two hours later, explosions were heard in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Didn’t think it could be real’: US journalist ends up in classified war plan 'group chat' with Hegseth, Vance

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticised a federal judge on Saturday after she blocked a ban on transgender troops in the military. His remarks follow similar attacks on the judiciary by President Donald Trump and other officials. &nbsp;
<h2>Judge rules against Trump&rsquo;s order &nbsp;</h2>
US District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that Trump&rsquo;s executive order, issued on January 27, likely violated the US Constitution&rsquo;s guarantee of equal protection. The order was one of several targeting transgender rights. &nbsp;
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<h2>Hegseth&rsquo;s mocking response &nbsp;</h2>
Hegseth mocked the judge in a social media post, sarcastically calling her &ldquo;Commander Reyes&rdquo; and suggesting she had overstepped her role.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Since &ldquo;Judge&rdquo; Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raids&hellip;after that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare. <a href="https://t.co/CNrl252Irs">https://t.co/CNrl252Irs</a>
&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1903529403151249656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2025</a></blockquote>

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&ldquo;Since &lsquo;Judge&rsquo; Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;After that, Commander Reyes can head to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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<h2>Hegseth&rsquo;s strong stance on military policies</h2>
Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News host, has been pushing to ban transgender troops and remove diversity programs from the military.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Hegseth mocked the judge in a social media post, sarcastically calling her “Commander Reyes” and suggesting she had overstepped her role.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticised a federal judge on Saturday after she blocked a ban on transgender troops in the military. His remarks follow similar attacks on the judiciary by President Donald Trump and other officials. Judge rules against Trump’s order US District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that Trump’s executive order, issued on January 27, likely violated the US Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection. The order was one of several targeting transgender rights. Also Read | ‘Preposterous’: Trump envoy Witkoff dismisses Starmer’s Ukraine plan as Zelensky urges 'new pressure' on Russia Hegseth’s mocking response Hegseth mocked the judge in a social media post, sarcastically calling her “Commander Reyes” and suggesting she had overstepped her role. Also Read | China gearing up to deploy DeepSeek in military ops? Increasing use in non-combat support suggests so Since “Judge” Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raids…after that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare. https://t.co/CNrl252Irs — Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 22, 2025 Also Read | After European nations, Canada warns citizens travelling to US amid Trump's immigration crackdown “Since ‘Judge’ Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers,” he wrote. “After that, Commander Reyes can head to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets.” Also Read | ‘Difficult negotiations’ ahead: Russia downplays Ukraine peace talks before US meeting Hegseth’s strong stance on military policies Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News host, has been pushing to ban transgender troops and remove diversity programs from the military. (With inputs from agencies)

US defense secretary mocks judge for blocking transgender troop ban

The American Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, has put up a poll on social media site X asking people to vote about a possible name change. The Secretary of Defense has asked people if it was okay to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War with a #PeoplesPentagon. Watch in for more details!

Hegseth suggests changing name of department, asks people to choose between 'defence' and 'war'

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ignited controversy by posting a poll on X, asking whether the Pentagon should be called the "Department of Defence" or revert to its old name, the "Department of War." The move has sparked intense discussions, especially after Hegseth’s recent meeting with Elon Musk at the Pentagon. Watch this report for more updates!

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth asks people to choose between 'defence' and 'war'

DOGE head Elon Musk&rsquo;s visit to the Pentagon on Friday (March 21) sparked widespread speculation, particularly after reports suggested that he would be briefed on possible US military plans in the event of a conflict with China.
However, both Musk and US officials, including President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, strongly denied those claims.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-taps-boeing-for-f-47-fighter-jet-trump-says-enemies-wont-know-what-hit-them-8877846">Boeing to build sixth-gen fighter jet F-47, Trump says enemies &lsquo;won&rsquo;t know what hit them&rsquo;</a>
<h2>Musk's 80-minute meeting with Hegseth</h2>
Musk, who is currently heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump&rsquo;s administration, held an 80-minute meeting with Hegseth at the Pentagon. &ldquo;If there&rsquo;s anything I can do to be helpful, I would like us to have a good outcome here,&rdquo; Musk said as he left.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-no-longer-safe-for-tourists-uk-germany-issue-travel-warnings-after-woman-detained-like-hannibal-trump-immigration-crackdown-8876514">US no longer safe for tourists? UK, Germany issue travel warnings after woman detained &lsquo;like Hannibal&rsquo;</a>
<h2>'He&rsquo;s there for DOGE, not for China'</h2>
Speaking from the White House later in the day, Trump dismissed reports that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had been shown any military strategy. &ldquo;They made that up because it&rsquo;s a good story to make up. They&rsquo;re very dishonest people,&rdquo; he said, referring to The New York Times, which initially reported on the alleged China briefing.
&ldquo;I called up Pete [Hegseth] and I said, &lsquo;Is there any truth to that?&rsquo; Absolutely not. He&rsquo;s there for DOGE, not there for China. And if you ever mentioned China, I think he&rsquo;d walk out of the room,&rdquo; Trump added.
Earlier, The New York Times cited anonymous sources claiming Musk was to be briefed on secret war plans concerning China. Other outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, published follow-ups citing their unnamed officials. Despite this, both Trump and Hegseth remained firm in their denials.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-get-jailed-in-el-salvador-prisons-trump-threatens-terrorists-harming-musk-tesla-with-20-year-jail-term-8877058">&lsquo;Could get jailed in El Salvador prisons&rsquo;: Trump threatens &lsquo;terrorists&rsquo; harming Musk, Tesla with 20-year&nbsp;jail</a>
<h2>'Meeting about innovation, efficiencies and smarter production'</h2>
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s an informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies [and] smarter production. Gonna be great!,&rdquo; Hegseth posted on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the meeting.
Musk also took to X to respond, calling the reports &ldquo;pure propaganda.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information. They will be found.&rdquo;
Questions about Musk&rsquo;s involvement in any military plans have raised eyebrows due to his business ties in China. As the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, both of which have US government contracts, his potential access to sensitive information caused concern among critics.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thrashes-report-claiming-pentagon-would-brief-musk-on-potential-war-with-china-calls-it-fake-news-8875389">Trump trashes report claiming Pentagon would brief Musk on potential war with China, calls it &lsquo;Fake News&rsquo;</a>
<h2>'No war plans'</h2>
When asked directly about the meeting, Trump said, &ldquo;You know, Elon has businesses in China, and he would be susceptible, perhaps, to that, but it was such a fake story.&rdquo;
Hegseth added, &ldquo;Elon Musk is a patriot. Elon Musk is an innovator. Elon Musk provides a lot of capabilities our government and our military rely on, and I&rsquo;m grateful for that.&rdquo;
He continued, &ldquo;We welcomed him today to the Pentagon to talk about DOGE, to talk about efficiencies, to talk about innovations. It was a great informal conversation. The rest of that reporting was fake. There was no war plans. There was no Chinese war plans. There was no secret plans. That&rsquo;s not what we were doing at the Pentagon.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Musk, who is currently heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s administration, held an 80-minute meeting with Hegseth at the Pentagon.

DOGE head Elon Musk’s visit to the Pentagon on Friday (March 21) sparked widespread speculation, particularly after reports suggested that he would be briefed on possible US military plans in the event of a conflict with China. However, both Musk and US officials, including President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, strongly denied those claims. Also read: Boeing to build sixth-gen fighter jet F-47, Trump says enemies ‘won’t know what hit them’ Musk's 80-minute meeting with Hegseth Musk, who is currently heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s administration, held an 80-minute meeting with Hegseth at the Pentagon. “If there’s anything I can do to be helpful, I would like us to have a good outcome here,” Musk said as he left. Also read: US no longer safe for tourists? UK, Germany issue travel warnings after woman detained ‘like Hannibal’ 'He’s there for DOGE, not for China' Speaking from the White House later in the day, Trump dismissed reports that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had been shown any military strategy. “They made that up because it’s a good story to make up. They’re very dishonest people,” he said, referring to The New York Times, which initially reported on the alleged China briefing. “I called up Pete [Hegseth] and I said, ‘Is there any truth to that?’ Absolutely not. He’s there for DOGE, not there for China. And if you ever mentioned China, I think he’d walk out of the room,” Trump added. Earlier, The New York Times cited anonymous sources claiming Musk was to be briefed on secret war plans concerning China. Other outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, published follow-ups citing their unnamed officials. Despite this, both Trump and Hegseth remained firm in their denials. Also read: ‘Could get jailed in El Salvador prisons’: Trump threatens ‘terrorists’ harming Musk, Tesla with 20-year jail 'Meeting about innovation, efficiencies and smarter production' “It’s an informal meeting about innovation, efficiencies [and] smarter production. Gonna be great!,” Hegseth posted on X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the meeting. Musk also took to X to respond, calling the reports “pure propaganda.” He added, “I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information. They will be found.” Questions about Musk’s involvement in any military plans have raised eyebrows due to his business ties in China. As the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, both of which have US government contracts, his potential access to sensitive information caused concern among critics. Also read: Trump trashes report claiming Pentagon would brief Musk on potential war with China, calls it ‘Fake News’ 'No war plans' When asked directly about the meeting, Trump said, “You know, Elon has businesses in China, and he would be susceptible, perhaps, to that, but it was such a fake story.” Hegseth added, “Elon Musk is a patriot. Elon Musk is an innovator. Elon Musk provides a lot of capabilities our government and our military rely on, and I’m grateful for that.” He continued, “We welcomed him today to the Pentagon to talk about DOGE, to talk about efficiencies, to talk about innovations. It was a great informal conversation. The rest of that reporting was fake. There was no war plans. There was no Chinese war plans. There was no secret plans. That’s not what we were doing at the Pentagon.” (With inputs from agencies)

China war or DOGE cuts? Inside Musk’s controversial Pentagon visit that Trump, Hegseth rushed to defend

US President Donald Trump on Friday (March 21) said that Boeing has been awarded a major Pentagon contract to develop and support a new sixth-generation fighter aircraft, which will be known as the F-47.
<h2>'Likes of which nobody has seen before'</h2>
Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior Air Force officials, Trump described the new manned warplane as &ldquo;something the likes of which nobody has seen before.&rdquo;
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According to the president, the fighter jet has &ldquo;been in the works for a long period of time&rdquo; and Boeing was chosen after &ldquo;a rigorous and thorough competition between some of America's top aerospace companies.&rdquo; The programme has been developed under the Pentagon&rsquo;s &ldquo;Next Generation Air Dominance&rdquo; initiative.
Trump claimed the F-47 would be &ldquo;the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built,&rdquo; and disclosed that a prototype version &ldquo;has secretly been flying for almost five years.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The F-47 is equipped with state-of-the-art stealth technology. It&rsquo;s virtually unseeable and unprecedented power, the most power of any jet of its kind ever made,&rdquo; he said.
Without disclosing the cost, Trump said, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve given an order for a lot. We can&rsquo;t tell you the price.&rdquo;
He also suggested international interest was growing, and said, &ldquo;Our allies are calling constantly. They want to buy them also.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trumps-iron-dome-for-america-trump-executive-order-us-missile-defence-upgrade-8659528">Trump's 'Iron Dome for America': US President to sign executive order for 'next-gen' missile defence upgrade</a>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-backs-musk-amid-protests-says-sabotaging-teslas-would-lead-to-jail-for-up-to-twenty-years-8876612"></a>The&nbsp;jet&rsquo;s name may be a nod to Trump himself, who is the 47th president of the United States.
&ldquo;We're confident that it massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation ... every other plane I&rsquo;ve seen, every one of them, and it&rsquo;s not even close,&rdquo; he added. 
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s virtually unseeable and unprecedented power. It&rsquo;s got the most power of any jet of its kind ever made. Manoeuvrability, likewise ... there's never been anything like it,&rdquo; Trump said.
The president declared that if the F-47 is ever used in combat, America&rsquo;s enemies &ldquo;will never see it coming&rdquo; and warned they &ldquo;won&rsquo;t know what the hell hit them.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thrashes-report-claiming-pentagon-would-brief-musk-on-potential-war-with-china-calls-it-fake-news-8875389">Trump trashes report claiming Pentagon would brief Musk on potential war with China, calls it &lsquo;Fake News&rsquo;</a>
<h2>'A big day for our country, a big day in the world'</h2>
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former television host, called it &ldquo;a big day for our country, a big day in the world,&rdquo; saying the new fighter would &ldquo;send a very direct, clear message to our allies that we&rsquo;re not going anywhere, and to our enemies, that we can&mdash;we will be able to project power around the globe unimpeded for generations to come.&rdquo;
&ldquo;This is a historic investment in the American military, in American industrial base, in American industry, that will help revive the warrior ethos inside our military,&rdquo; he added.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-get-jailed-in-el-salvador-prisons-trump-threatens-terrorists-harming-musk-tesla-with-20-year-jail-term-8877058">&lsquo;Could get jailed in El Salvador prisons&rsquo;: Trump threatens &lsquo;terrorists&rsquo; harming Musk, Tesla with 20-year&nbsp;jail</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior Air Force officials, Trump described the new manned warplane as “something the likes of which nobody has seen before.”

US President Donald Trump on Friday (March 21) said that Boeing has been awarded a major Pentagon contract to develop and support a new sixth-generation fighter aircraft, which will be known as the F-47. 'Likes of which nobody has seen before' Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior Air Force officials, Trump described the new manned warplane as “something the likes of which nobody has seen before.” Also read: Who is Maggie Haberman ‘Maggot‘? ‘The really dumb scammer’, who Trump says owes him a Pulitzer Prize According to the president, the fighter jet has “been in the works for a long period of time” and Boeing was chosen after “a rigorous and thorough competition between some of America's top aerospace companies.” The programme has been developed under the Pentagon’s “Next Generation Air Dominance” initiative. Trump claimed the F-47 would be “the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built,” and disclosed that a prototype version “has secretly been flying for almost five years.” “The F-47 is equipped with state-of-the-art stealth technology. It’s virtually unseeable and unprecedented power, the most power of any jet of its kind ever made,” he said. Without disclosing the cost, Trump said, “We’ve given an order for a lot. We can’t tell you the price.” He also suggested international interest was growing, and said, “Our allies are calling constantly. They want to buy them also.” Also read: Trump's 'Iron Dome for America': US President to sign executive order for 'next-gen' missile defence upgrade The jet’s name may be a nod to Trump himself, who is the 47th president of the United States. “We're confident that it massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation ... every other plane I’ve seen, every one of them, and it’s not even close,” he added. “It’s virtually unseeable and unprecedented power. It’s got the most power of any jet of its kind ever made. Manoeuvrability, likewise ... there's never been anything like it,” Trump said. The president declared that if the F-47 is ever used in combat, America’s enemies “will never see it coming” and warned they “won’t know what the hell hit them.” Also read: Trump trashes report claiming Pentagon would brief Musk on potential war with China, calls it ‘Fake News’ 'A big day for our country, a big day in the world' Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former television host, called it “a big day for our country, a big day in the world,” saying the new fighter would “send a very direct, clear message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere, and to our enemies, that we can—we will be able to project power around the globe unimpeded for generations to come.” “This is a historic investment in the American military, in American industrial base, in American industry, that will help revive the warrior ethos inside our military,” he added. Also read: ‘Could get jailed in El Salvador prisons’: Trump threatens ‘terrorists’ harming Musk, Tesla with 20-year jail (With inputs from agencies)

Boeing to build sixth-gen fighter jet F-47, Trump says enemies ‘won’t know what hit them’

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to meet with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to discuss potential collaborations. The meeting comes amid growing interest in the intersection of technology and defense.

US: Elon Musk to meet military leaders, defence secy

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a comprehensive review of &ldquo;military fitness, body composition and grooming&rdquo; across all the US armed forces on Wednesday (Mar 12).
The directive comes after the Biden administration loosened restrictions on various rules, including grooming and hairstyle for military service members. This also includes body fat percentage standards for new recruits.
<h2>'High standards make US military greatest'</h2>
In the Department of Defence memo, Hegseth wrote, &ldquo;High standards are what made the United States military the greatest fighting force on the planet.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secy-pete-hegseth-says-one-doesnt-have-to-trust-putin-to-negotiate-ukraine-peace-deal-8721596">US defence secy Pete Hegseth says one doesn't have to 'trust' Putin to negotiate Ukraine peace deal</a> &nbsp; &ldquo;The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;We are made stronger and more disciplined with high, uncompromising, and clear standards.&rdquo;
The review, conducted by the Pentagon under secretary of defence, will inspect the &ldquo;existing standards set by the Military Departments pertaining to physical fitness, body composition, and grooming, which includes but is not limited to beards.&rdquo; It will also examine how these standards have changed over the past decade.
&ldquo;The review will also provide insight on why those standards changed and the impact of those changes,&rdquo; the defence secretary added.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-shares-intelligence-with-ukraine-for-defence-not-for-attacks-on-russia-how-crucial-it-is-for-kyiv-8834121">US shares intelligence with Ukraine for defence, not for attacks on Russia. How crucial it is for Kyiv?</a>
He further said, &ldquo;We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world&rsquo;s most lethal and effective fighting force.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging,&rdquo; he noted. &ldquo;This review will illuminate how the Department has maintained the level of standards required over the recent past and the trajectory of any change in those standards.&rdquo;
<h2>Military standards</h2>
Each branch of the US military has its own standards for physical fitness and body composition. They also have guidelines for the type of haircuts and facial hair the service members are allowed to maintain.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theres-nothing-for-russia-putin-aide-slams-us-ceasefire-proposal-to-end-ukraine-war-8850979">'There's nothing for Russia': Putin aide slams US ceasefire proposal to end Ukraine war</a>
Generally, service members are banned from keeping beards unless they have a medical or religious exemption.
Under the Biden administration, the grooming standards in the army were relaxed. As part of an effort to be &ldquo;more diverse&rdquo; and &ldquo;inclusive&rdquo;, women were permitted to wear earrings and dye their hair, while men could wear nail polish.
The Biden administration also raised the permitted body fat in the US Air Force allowed for new recruits form 20 per cent to 26 per cent for males and from 28 per cent to 36 per cent for females.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/autonews/trump-administration-initiates-rollback-of-bidens-electric-vehicle-regulations-8849949">Trump Administration initiates rollback of Biden's electric vehicle regulations</a>
Last month, Hegseth said that the department would now renew its focus on &ldquo;basic stuff&rdquo; such as fitness and grooming under the Trump administration.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not saying if you violate grooming standards, you&rsquo;re a criminal,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The analogy is incomplete. But if you violate the small stuff and you allow it to happen, it creates a culture where the big stuff, you&rsquo;re not held accountable for.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

World | The directive comes after the Biden administration loosened restrictions on various rules, including grooming and hairstyle for military service members.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a comprehensive review of “military fitness, body composition and grooming” across all the US armed forces on Wednesday (Mar 12). The directive comes after the Biden administration loosened restrictions on various rules, including grooming and hairstyle for military service members. This also includes body fat percentage standards for new recruits. 'High standards make US military greatest' In the Department of Defence memo, Hegseth wrote, “High standards are what made the United States military the greatest fighting force on the planet.” Also read | US defence secy Pete Hegseth says one doesn't have to 'trust' Putin to negotiate Ukraine peace deal “The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose,” he added. “We are made stronger and more disciplined with high, uncompromising, and clear standards.” The review, conducted by the Pentagon under secretary of defence, will inspect the “existing standards set by the Military Departments pertaining to physical fitness, body composition, and grooming, which includes but is not limited to beards.” It will also examine how these standards have changed over the past decade. “The review will also provide insight on why those standards changed and the impact of those changes,” the defence secretary added. Also read | US shares intelligence with Ukraine for defence, not for attacks on Russia. How crucial it is for Kyiv? He further said, “We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force.” “Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging,” he noted. “This review will illuminate how the Department has maintained the level of standards required over the recent past and the trajectory of any change in those standards.” Military standards Each branch of the US military has its own standards for physical fitness and body composition. They also have guidelines for the type of haircuts and facial hair the service members are allowed to maintain. Also read | 'There's nothing for Russia': Putin aide slams US ceasefire proposal to end Ukraine war Generally, service members are banned from keeping beards unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Under the Biden administration, the grooming standards in the army were relaxed. As part of an effort to be “more diverse” and “inclusive”, women were permitted to wear earrings and dye their hair, while men could wear nail polish. The Biden administration also raised the permitted body fat in the US Air Force allowed for new recruits form 20 per cent to 26 per cent for males and from 28 per cent to 36 per cent for females. Also read | Trump Administration initiates rollback of Biden's electric vehicle regulations Last month, Hegseth said that the department would now renew its focus on “basic stuff” such as fitness and grooming under the Trump administration. “I’m not saying if you violate grooming standards, you’re a criminal,” he said. “The analogy is incomplete. But if you violate the small stuff and you allow it to happen, it creates a culture where the big stuff, you’re not held accountable for.” (With inputs from agencies)

From hairstyles to body fat: US Defence Secy Pete Hegseth orders review on Biden’s relaxed military standards

To eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from military platforms, the Pentagon has reportedly marked several images for removal simply because they contain the word &ldquo;gay,&rdquo; regardless of context.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/washington-dc-plane-crash-black-hawk-pilot-atc-missteps-obama-or-dei-hiring-whos-really-to-blame-8678560" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Black Hawk pilot, ATC missteps, Obama, or DEI hiring: Who's really to blame for the Washington DC&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash?</a>
One such image, as reported by the Associated Press, is a historic photograph of the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945. The image features pilot Col. Paul Tibbets Jr. standing in front of the aircraft, which was named after his mother, Enola Gay Tibbets.
Another flagged image is a headshot of Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. A.C. Gay. Additionally, photos of Army Corps of Engineers workers, including one individual with the surname Gay, have also been marked for possible deletion.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-releases-annual-report-on-chinas-military-developments-a-look-at-the-key-facts-785627">Pentagon releases annual report on China's military developments showing disturbing rise in nukes</a>
According to the AP, a total of 26,000 images have been flagged so far, though an official stated that the number could rise to 100,000 once social media posts and other websites are taken into account. The official also noted that it is unclear whether the database of flagged images is final.
Much of the material subject to removal under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s directive includes content celebrating military contributions from women and minority groups. 
Hegseth had given the military until Wednesday to erase content related to diversity initiatives, following President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/donald-trump" rel="dofollow">Donald Trump&rsquo;s</a> executive order terminating such programmes across the federal government.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-us-president-donald-trump-warns-of-sanctions-tariffs-on-russia-until-ceasefire-is-reached-with-ukraine-8831867">'Get to table right now': Trump warns of sanctions, tariffs on Russia 'until ceasefire is reached' with Ukraine</a>
The Pentagon&rsquo;s broad approach mirrors a recent incident involving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In an attempt to eliminate DEI-related references from its manuals, the Trump administration also inadvertently removed unrelated terms, such as references to the &ldquo;inclusion&rdquo; of a taxpayer&rsquo;s identification number on a form.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: One such image, as reported by the Associated Press, is a historic photograph of the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945.

To eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from military platforms, the Pentagon has reportedly marked several images for removal simply because they contain the word “gay,” regardless of context. Also read: Black Hawk pilot, ATC missteps, Obama, or DEI hiring: Who's really to blame for the Washington DC plane crash? One such image, as reported by the Associated Press, is a historic photograph of the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945. The image features pilot Col. Paul Tibbets Jr. standing in front of the aircraft, which was named after his mother, Enola Gay Tibbets. Another flagged image is a headshot of Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. A.C. Gay. Additionally, photos of Army Corps of Engineers workers, including one individual with the surname Gay, have also been marked for possible deletion. Also read: Pentagon releases annual report on China's military developments showing disturbing rise in nukes According to the AP, a total of 26,000 images have been flagged so far, though an official stated that the number could rise to 100,000 once social media posts and other websites are taken into account. The official also noted that it is unclear whether the database of flagged images is final. Much of the material subject to removal under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive includes content celebrating military contributions from women and minority groups. Hegseth had given the military until Wednesday to erase content related to diversity initiatives, following President Donald Trump’s executive order terminating such programmes across the federal government. Also read: 'Get to table right now': Trump warns of sanctions, tariffs on Russia 'until ceasefire is reached' with Ukraine The Pentagon’s broad approach mirrors a recent incident involving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In an attempt to eliminate DEI-related references from its manuals, the Trump administration also inadvertently removed unrelated terms, such as references to the “inclusion” of a taxpayer’s identification number on a form. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump-era DEI ban triggers Pentagon to delete historic WWII photo of 'gay' plane: Here’s why

A new Pentagon memo says that openly transgender individuals will no longer be permitted to serve in the US military and will soon be discharged from duty. This decision signals a major reversal from previous policies that prohibited discrimination based on gender identity.
The memo was revealed on Wednesday as part of an ongoing lawsuit by LGBTQ+ rights organisations challenging an executive order issued by President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> last month.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-blocks-trumps-order-to-transfer-transgender-women-inmates-to-mens-prisons-8758246">US judge blocks Trump&rsquo;s order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons</a>
<h2>Mandatory removal process outlined</h2>
According to the memo, the Department of Defense must implement a process to identify transgender service members within 30 days. A further 30 days after that, the discharge process must begin.
"It is the policy of the United States Government to establish high standards for service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity," the document, dated 26 February, read.
It continued, "This policy is inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria or who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria."
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/transgenders-people-with-history-of-gender-dysphoria-can-no-longer-join-us-military-defense-secretary-hegseth-memo-enforces-trumps-order-8709166">Transgenders, people with 'history of gender dysphoria' can no longer join US military: Hegseth memo</a>
An earlier memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had already said that individuals with a history of gender dysphoria would be barred from enlisting, while also insisting they would be "treated with dignity and respect." However, the new policy extends this restriction to current service members, requiring their removal if they have gender dysphoria or a history of it.
The memo does allow for rare exceptions. Transgender service members who play a direct role in &ldquo;warfighting capabilities&rdquo; may be retained if the government determines there is a "compelling" reason for them to remain.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deloitte-orders-us-staff-to-remove-gender-pronouns-from-email-amid-trumps-crackdown-on-transgenders-8712132">Deloitte orders US staff to remove gender pronouns from email amid Trump's crackdown on transgenders</a>
However, even if granted a waiver, transgender personnel will be subject to strict limitations. They will not be allowed access to "intimate spaces" such as changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers designated for the gender they transitioned to.
Additionally, they will be required to meet the physical fitness standards associated with&nbsp;their sex assigned at birth, and their official military records will be updated accordingly.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: According to the memo, the Department of Defense must implement a process to identify transgender service members within 30 days. A further 30 days after that, the discharge process must begin.

A new Pentagon memo says that openly transgender individuals will no longer be permitted to serve in the US military and will soon be discharged from duty. This decision signals a major reversal from previous policies that prohibited discrimination based on gender identity. The memo was revealed on Wednesday as part of an ongoing lawsuit by LGBTQ+ rights organisations challenging an executive order issued by President Donald Trump last month. Also read: US judge blocks Trump’s order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons Mandatory removal process outlined According to the memo, the Department of Defense must implement a process to identify transgender service members within 30 days. A further 30 days after that, the discharge process must begin. "It is the policy of the United States Government to establish high standards for service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity," the document, dated 26 February, read. It continued, "This policy is inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria or who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria." Also read:Transgenders, people with 'history of gender dysphoria' can no longer join US military: Hegseth memo An earlier memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had already said that individuals with a history of gender dysphoria would be barred from enlisting, while also insisting they would be "treated with dignity and respect." However, the new policy extends this restriction to current service members, requiring their removal if they have gender dysphoria or a history of it. The memo does allow for rare exceptions. Transgender service members who play a direct role in “warfighting capabilities” may be retained if the government determines there is a "compelling" reason for them to remain. Also read: Deloitte orders US staff to remove gender pronouns from email amid Trump's crackdown on transgenders However, even if granted a waiver, transgender personnel will be subject to strict limitations. They will not be allowed access to "intimate spaces" such as changing rooms, bathrooms, and showers designated for the gender they transitioned to. Additionally, they will be required to meet the physical fitness standards associated with their sex assigned at birth, and their official military records will be updated accordingly. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Establishing high standards’: Transgender troops to be discharged from US military within 60 days

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