Overview

• The DoD withdrew roughly a dozen current senior leaders from the Aspen Security Forum, among them the Navy secretary and commanders of key combatant commands.
• Pentagon spokespeople cited the Aspen Institute’s support for globalist policies and critical race theory as at odds with its emphasis on increasing warfighter lethality and America First principles.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly endorsed the pullout on social media, affirming a Just the News report as “correct.”
• The decision ends a more than two-decade tradition of active-duty military and civilian participation from both Republican and Democratic administrations.
• Former administration figures such as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan remain on the agenda, and organizers say invitations for current officials are still open.