DoD Withdraws Admiral Donnelly Nomination Over USS Ronald Reagan Drag Shows

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has withdrawn the nomination of Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly for promotion to vice admiral and command of the Navy's Seventh Fleet due to controversy over drag performances held aboard the USS Ronald Reagan during Donnelly's command from 2016 to 2018. These events, including a drag queen performance by Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley at a department-sanctioned morale event, drew criticism from conservative media and political figures who viewed them as emblematic of a 'woke' military culture. Although President Donald Trump initially nominated Donnelly and the Senate approved the promotion, Hegseth reversed the decision, emphasizing a renewed focus on military lethality and moving away from such cultural displays. The withdrawal aligns with Hegseth's broader agenda to remove what he perceives as 'woke' influences from the armed forces. Donnelly's nomination had also been previously delayed by Senator Tommy Tuberville, who opposed policies related to abortion and transgender issues in the military. The Pentagon is currently seeking a new nominee to lead the Seventh Fleet, which oversees significant U.S. naval operations in the Indo-Pacific region.