NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked a media firestorm this week after laughing off a reporter’s question about gender representation during a Pentagon press briefing. The exchange followed the June 22 announcement of the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, a U.S. military strike targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.
While addressing the mission, Hegseth had praised “our boys in those bombers,” a remark that drew criticism from progressive media outlets and political opponents. During the Q&A portion of the press conference, a reporter confronted him directly, asking why he had not acknowledged the female pilots who participated in the operation.
“The early messages that you sent out only congratulated the boys,” she noted.
Hegseth chuckled in response before offering a firm rebuttal. “So when I say something like ‘our boys in bombers’—see, this is the kind of thing the press does,” he began. “Of course, the chairman mentioned a female bomber pilot. That’s fantastic. She’s a hero. I want more female bomber pilots. But when you spin it because I say ‘our boys’ as a common phrase? I’ll keep saying things like that.”
He continued by emphasizing that gender plays no role in evaluating the bravery of military personnel. “I’m very proud of that female pilot, just like I’m proud of the male pilots,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s a man or a woman in that cockpit—and the American people don’t care either. It’s the obsession with race and gender in this department that’s changed priorities. We don’t do that anymore.”
The Department of Defense confirmed that at least one female B-2 bomber pilot participated in the Iran strike mission, and another female sailor served aboard a missile-launching submarine during the operation.
Hegseth, who has drawn criticism since his appointment for rolling back DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) policies, reiterated his stance that military excellence must be rooted in merit, not identity. He has previously ordered service academies to remove race, gender, and ethnicity as factors in admissions and removed DEI-themed DOD materials.
He also used the press conference to push back on media reports citing a leaked Pentagon assessment that claimed the strikes only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by a few months. Hegseth dismissed the leaked analysis as “preliminary” and “uncoordinated,” accusing the press of weaponizing incomplete data to undercut the administration’s success.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
