WASHINGTON (TNND) — In a controversial move, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, that he has officially ended the Pentagon’s "Women, Peace and Security" (WPS) program, a legislative initiative signed into law by former President Donald Trump in 2017. The program was designed to enhance the role of women in peace-building and conflict prevention efforts.
In a post on the social media platform X, Hegseth criticized the WPS program as a distraction from the Department of Defense’s core mission, labeling it as a "woke divisive/social justice/Biden initiative" that overburdens military commanders and troops. He stated, "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." He further claimed that the program was pushed by "feminists and left-wing activists" and insisted that "troops HATE it."
Hegseth’s announcement has sparked backlash from lawmakers across the political spectrum, particularly from Democrats who view the move as a significant setback for U.S. national security and international standing. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) responded by sharing a screenshot from Ivanka Trump’s X profile, which highlighted the importance of the WPS program during Trump’s presidency. Similarly, Alyssa Farah Griffin, a host on "The View," noted that the program was enacted to support national defense strategies and questioned what had changed since then.
The WPS program was initially created through bipartisan support, with the Women, Peace and Security Act co-sponsored by current Secretary of State Marco Rubio when he was a senator and written by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her time in the House. The act aimed to promote women’s involvement in all aspects of conflict prevention, management, and post-conflict recovery, making the U.S. the first country to codify such legislation.
Despite Hegseth’s declaration to end the program, he indicated that the Pentagon would comply with the minimum requirements of the WPS under federal law while lobbying to eliminate the program entirely during the next appropriations process. This plan has raised eyebrows, especially since Trump’s administration had previously touted the WPS initiative as a major accomplishment for women’s empowerment.
In a statement, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who was instrumental in passing the original legislation, criticized Hegseth’s actions as detrimental to the country’s global standing. She stated, "Every combatant commander who comes through my office highlights the strategic advantage WPS gives U.S. forward deployed forces. This follows a dangerous and disturbing pattern from the Secretary, who clearly does not listen to advice from senior military leaders. He also continues to ignore the invaluable role women play in our national security. It’s startling that just because the word ‘women’ is in the title, this evidence-based security program has been reduced to a DEI program."
Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), co-chair of the WPS Caucus, echoed these sentiments, calling the decision "outrageous and reckless." She emphasized that the WPS initiative is grounded in decades of research and bipartisan law, asserting, "Dismissing WPS as a 'UN feminist plot' is not just ignorant—it’s dangerous. It denies the reality on the ground, ignores our own defense and diplomatic priorities, and weakens our national security."
Hegseth’s decision to dismantle the WPS program has also drawn attention to the broader context of his tenure as Defense Secretary, where he has consistently sought to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the military. His administration has faced criticism for removing commemorations of identity-based celebrations and targeting educational materials related to civil rights and feminism.
In a separate but related development, Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, Trump’s nominee for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified in support of the WPS program during his confirmation hearing, emphasizing its value in military operations. Caine noted that female service members play a crucial role in interacting with local women and children in conflict zones, enhancing the military’s understanding of the local human terrain.
The WPS program originated from a 2000 United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at increasing women’s participation in peace and security efforts, as research has shown that peace agreements involving women are more durable. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric commented on the significance of the program, stating, "One of the real-life impacts of the Women, Peace and Security program has been the increasing number of women peacekeepers who serve in U.N. missions, which has had a very clear, measurable and positive impact on the protection of civilians in conflict zones."
As Hegseth moves forward with his plans to dismantle the WPS initiative, the implications of this decision remain uncertain. Critics argue that it undermines years of progress in integrating women into peace-building roles and could have long-term consequences for U.S. military effectiveness and global leadership on gender issues.
In the wake of Hegseth’s announcement, the Pentagon has not provided further comments regarding the future of the WPS program or how it will fulfill its legal obligations under the existing statute. As the debate continues, it is clear that the decision to end the WPS program reflects broader ideological battles within the U.S. government regarding the role of women in national security and defense.
