Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an unconventional commencement speech to over 900 graduating West Point cadets at the U.S. Military Academy on May 23. However, throughout the address, the 45-year-old official slammed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Rep. Steve Womack, Rep. Pat Ryan, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and other top military officials joined Hegseth on stage.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared a bizarre commencement address to the West Point graduating class
Hegseth started the commencement address on a positive note. He said, “You’ve proven that you have what it takes to lead our nation’s top 1%, America’s most valued treasure, America’s sons and daughters.” “We’re sending you to lead, we’re sending you to forge warriors, and we’re sending you perhaps, to war — and you are ready. The world today is at a crossroads, just as it has been for the past 250 years of our great republic. You are stepping into the arena at a time when the stakes could not be higher,” Hegseth added.
The Secretary of Defense then congratulated the class of 2026. He said, “I look forward to serving with you, serving you, and seeing you on the field.”
Hegseth then blasted DEI initiatives. He said via OK! Magazine, “They embraced the DEI craze and tried to introduce diversity and inclusion studies.” He added, “They hired professors who advocated for anti-American ideologies right here in these halls, but no more. West Point is set apart. It’s special. It’s above politics. Success here is based on merit. It’s how you perform that matters.”
Hegseth praised the young cadets for their physical fitness, saying, “You are fit, not fat. You are disciplined, not distracted.”
In September 2025, Hegseth gave a similar bizarre speech. He emphasized personal fitness while body-shaming people. He said, as per OK! Magazine, “Every member of the joint force at every rank is required to take a test twice a year, as well as meet height and weight requirements twice a year, every year of service. Additionally, members of the joint force will be required to do PT [physical training] every duty day.” Hegseth added, “It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the world. It’s a bad look.”
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