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May 31, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hits back on criticism of diversity in military

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks bast soldiers who are saluting

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the 2021 West Point Commencement Ceremony on May 22 in West Point, New York. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday hit back against criticism that increasing diversity in the military's ranks would weaken security, in a wide-ranging CNN interview.

Driving the news: The Army said it had to disable comments on a recent recruiting ad that featured stories from real soldiers — including immigrants and one recruit with two moms — after backlash emerged from conservative media and political figures including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

What he's saying: The military "will never be too soft," he said. "I think our adversaries would like to capitalize on talking points like that, you know, the Chinese, the Russians."

  • "What this department, what Lloyd Austin is focused on, is the defense of our nation."
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