Someone asked the Pentagon why they spent millions on DEI. Their response (or lack thereof) is telling.

How, exactly, do diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives boost military readiness? Good question.

After the Pentagon received $86.5 million in DEI spending last year (for reference, that’s enough to pay over 2,000 soldiers’ average annual salaries), a handful of curious Americans from the Center to Advance Security in America (CASA) set out to learn more about how DEI and national security relate.

Maybe Pride flags increased marksmanship, or physical stamina, or…

Filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request with the Department of Defense, Army veteran James Fitzpatrick requested more information about a recent freeze on DEI hires. The Department received his request in May. Now, he says they are refusing to share internal documents on whether DEI improves national security. (Under federal law, government agencies generally have 20 business days to respond to FOIA requests.) 

“The Department of Defense has stated that diversity, equity, and inclusion is the American military’s greatest strength, but has rarely detailed how,” the request stated. “Given the recent hiring freeze on DEI-related positions, it must follow that national security has been affected in some way. The information obtained is necessary to evaluate the impact of DEI initiatives and financing on prioritizing efforts to advance national security.”

More than 100 days later… radio silence.

“They are legally required to produce records,” Fitzpatrick complained, pointing out that the Pentagon is “well over the friendly threshold to provide records.”

It’s almost like — could it be?! — DEI practices don’t increase military strength in any meaningful way, and the government is just too ashamed to admit it??

Nah. Who are we kidding? This is the federal government we’re talking about! Of course they know what they’re doing. Of courseeee they didn’t waste $86.5 million. How absurd that would be!