Defense Secretary Hegseth Dismisses Gender Question: "We Don't Play Your Little Games"

Washington D.C. - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced pointed questions from reporters today regarding his recent comments on Iran strikes, specifically his initial phrasing that only credited "the boys" involved. The exchange, which quickly gained traction, highlighted ongoing debates about gender inclusivity in military discourse. A reporter pressed Secretary Hegseth on why he had not acknowledged female pilots who also participated in the mission. In response, Hegseth defended his choice of words, stating, "When I say something like our boys and bombers, see this is the kind of thing the press does, right?" He went on to affirm his pride in all service members, regardless of gender, stating, "I'm very proud of that female pilot, just like I'm very proud of those male pilots, and I don't care if it's a male or a female in that cockpit, and the American people don't care." Hegseth then criticized what he termed an "obsession with race and gender" within the Department of Defense, asserting that the department has "changed priorities" and will no longer "play your little games." His remarks underscore a clear divergence in perspective regarding the language used to describe military operations and the broader conversation surrounding diversity and inclusion within the armed forces.