Pentagon Ends Women, Peace, Security Program

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the termination of the Pentagon's Women, Peace & Security (WPS) program, labeling it a 'woke' and 'Biden initiative' despite its bipartisan origins and 2017 signing by President Donald Trump. Hegseth argued the program distracted from core military missions and was promoted by feminists and left-wing activists, though top Republican officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had previously supported it. The WPS Act, internationally recognized for advancing women's roles in peacebuilding and security, was praised by Trump-era officials for strengthening U.S. security. The Pentagon will now only meet the program's statutory minimums and aims to eliminate it through future budgets. Critics point to internal contradictions as original supporters of the law now hold key administration posts. The decision has ignited debate over defense priorities and messaging within the U.S. government.