Apr 29, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Hegseth ends Trump-backed Pentagon program for women

Sareen Habeshian

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. The White House said they are expecting thousands of children and adults to participate in the annual tradition of rolling colored eg — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the White House on April 21. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday he's "proudly" ending a Pentagon program intended to advance women's participation in peace-building and security.

The big picture: The Women, Peace and Security program was signed into law by President Trump in his first term with bipartisan support, and was touted by the administration as an accomplishment that "advanced women's economic empowerment."

Trump's Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, then a Congressmember, was a co-sponsor of the bill.

Driving the news: Hegseth said in a post on X Tuesday that the Department of Defense will fight to end the program, calling it "yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops — distracting from our core task: WAR-FIGHTING."

He said it's "a UNITED NATIONS program pushed by feminists and left-wing activists" and "troops HATE it."

Zoom in: After critics pointed out that Trump has championed the initiative, Hegseth took aim at the Biden administration, saying they "distorted & weaponized the straight-forward & security-focused program."

He added, "So—yes—we are ending the 'woke divisive/social justice/Biden (WPS) initiative.'"
The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Go deeper: Ex-Hegseth adviser details "tale of two Petes," as Trump stands by Defense Sec

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Hegseth ends Trump-backed Pentagon program for women

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