Defence secretary Pete Hegseth boasted about dismantling a program supporting women on security teams, which he claimed that the “woke & weak” Joe Biden administration distorted & weaponized the “Women, Peace & Security” program.
In a post on X, Hegseth said, “This morning, I proudly ENDED the ‘Women, Peace & Security’ (WPS) program inside the @DeptofDefense. WPS is yet another woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative that overburdens our commanders and troops — distracting from our core task: WAR-FIGHTING. WPS is a UNITED NATIONS program pushed by feminists and left-wing activists. Politicians fawn over it; troops HATE it. DoD will hereby executive the minimum of WPS required by statute, and fight to end the program for our next budget.”
However, after the media start reminding him that the legislation was signed into law by US President Donald Trump in 2017, Hegseth posted another post on his X account, clarifying that the straight-forward & security-focused WPS initiative was launched in 2017 but ending because it was distorted by the Biden administration.
He said, “The woke & weak Biden Administration distorted & weaponized the straight-forward & security-focused WPS initiative launched in 2017. So—yes—we are ending the ‘woke divisive/social justice/Biden (WPS) initiative.’ Biden ruined EVERYTHING, including ‘Women, Peace & Security’.”
The programme received support from Trump’s Cabinet during its legislative development.
In April, Gen. Dan Caine, newly appointed Joint Chiefs Chairman, testified to Congress about the programme’s battlefield effectiveness. He highlighted how female team members helped gather intelligence from women and children during field operations. Trump’s nomination of Caine was influenced by their interactions during Caine’s service in Iraq.
The 2017 Women, Peace and Security Act was authored by then-Representative Kristi Noem and Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who co-sponsored the Senate version, recently noted it as the first global legislation focusing on women’s protection and societal participation.
The initiative originated from a Security Council resolution in October 2000, aiming to involve women in peace-building efforts. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric defended the programme, citing its success in increasing female peacekeepers’ participation and improving civilian protection in conflict zones.
