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Outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of women and racial diversity in the US military. He praised the contributions of women in combat roles and highlighted their exceptional abilities.
Austin’s comments come amid concerns raised by President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who has expressed opposition to women in combat and support for purging “woke” officials.
Despite these concerns, Austin maintained that the military will remain diverse and that meritocracy will prevail. He declined to comment on Trump’s choice of Hegseth but noted that the president-elect has the authority to nominate individuals for any position.
Austin also addressed Russia’s recent nuclear threats, stating that the US remains vigilant but does not believe there is an imminent threat of nuclear weapon use. However, he acknowledged that North Korean troops are likely to join Russian forces in combat in the near future.