Washington (AP) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has Describing independent watchdogs Because of the pentagon that is “weaponized” he says he overhauls General Inspector’s office, overturning the way service members report rank abuse and other issues.
Hegseth announced plans during his speech at An An unusual gathering of hundreds of military leaders this week. He also signed a memo ordering to the inspector to identify who will file a complaint instead of having the inspector anonymous, deemed by the commander as “conedededible” and set up a new, closer timeline for filing the complaint and rejected it to complete an investigation to investigate.
The military’s policy, “haze, bullying and harassment are very widespread,” raises concerns that Hegseth’s direction raises concerns among supporters and experts, and that the change will revoke years of progress that will help protect women and minorities from abuse, and will shutter revenge to file legitimate complaints.
It’s part of a fundamentally broader push by the Trump administration Rebuilding the inspector community They are tasked with eradicating waste, fraud and abuse in government agencies. More Dozens of watchdogs were fired in January During the massive demolition of public integrity guardrails since President Donald Trump took office.
Hegseth is targeting inspectors as he faces a signal investigation
This change is necessary to correct “weaponized – put complainers, ideologues, poor performers in the driver’s seat.”
Hegseth is overhauling the office He himself is investigating Inspectors said he had used the signal messaging app. We share sensitive information about military strikes In group chats that inadvertently include journalists. He also shared information in other chats. Included his wife and brother.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson He told reporters Heggs issued a statement in August as part of the investigation. This is one of the final steps in the process.
Don Christensen, a former Air Force prosecutor and Virginia-based attorney, often representing those complaining to inspectors, questioned the need for Hegses’ directives.
“This is based on people who hang out with him complaining about the process about any kind of research or data that shows IG is taking too long or show that this is a problem with continuous complaints,” Christensen said. He added that he “don’t know of any data indicating a crisis of continuous complaints.”
Supporters fear a calm impact on the military
Former Air Force lawyer and military justice advocate Rachel VanLandingham said she is worried that change will have a major and horrifying effect on the advancing military in order to report sexual harassment, bullying and racism.
She said by eliminating anonymous reports, Hegses plans to shut down the process “which has been proven to reveal important issues affecting morale and discipline within the unit.”
“In the post-survey survey, if service members are afraid of their own command chain and fear their own command chain, the problem has not been resolved,” she said.
Despite years of messaging and the establishment of a professional response team, the military continues to fight sexual assault and violence against women.
In the most recent case, the Army SPC. Vanessa Guillen’s dismembered body was found in 2020 after being missing for more than two months from Fort Hood, Texas. It sparked a movement for women to speak out It has caused a change in the way they report it on military sexual abuse.
Army investigation It was later found that among other issues, there was a climate that tolerate sexual harassment and assault, a major lack of confidence in the command chain and therefore reluctant to report abusive behavior.
Hegseth says racism and sexual harassment will be targeted
In a speech this week, Hegses appears to have anticipated criticism of his change, saying, “Of course being racist has been illegal in our formation since 1948 – and also in sexual harassment – both are wrong and illegal.” He said, “Such violations will be enforced without mercy.”
Van Randingham acknowledges Hegses’ position, but she said she “makes changes to a system that will help reduce sexual harassment and sexual assault,” and was created in response to widespread systemic racial and sexual discrimination and harassment.
Hegseth’s memo also pointed out that articles in the Uniform Code of Legal Justice governing military personnel prohibit false statements and that violators are “appropriately accountable.”
Both Christiansen and Van Randingham said such language would almost certainly discourage people from reporting concerns and complaints.
“People moving forward are already taking huge risks in their careers, and now he’s making that worse by putting a target on their backs,” Christensen said.
Van Randingham added:
___
Associated Press Writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
