Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of about a dozen senior military officials from this week’s Aspen Security Forum.
• Pentagon press spokespeople said the forum’s globalist orientation conflicted with the administration’s America First values.
• The move aligns with Hegseth’s broader agenda to emphasize lethality, warrior ethos and Peace Through Strength while removing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Removed speakers include Navy Secretary John Phelan, Admiral Samuel Paparo of Indo-Pacific Command and Generals Bryan Fenton, Stephen Whiting and Randall Reed.
• The Aspen Security Forum will proceed without current Defense Department leaders, and organizers say invitations remain open to those officials and other national security figures.