Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Resignation Calls After Transphobic Slur

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used an anti-transgender slur during a campaign rally for Republican Representative Zach Nunn on August 17, 2026. Speaking at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Hegseth referred to the Pentagon as the "Department of War" and stated, "At the Department of War, we do training, not trannies." He argued that the department's sole focus should be "training, lethality, accountability, discipline, readiness," describing his approach as "colorblind, gender-neutral, merit-based."

The remarks sparked immediate backlash from media figures and lawmakers. CNN anchor Jake Tapper condemned the language as a slur and called for people to be treated with dignity. Senators Ed Markey and Raphael Warnock demanded Hegseth's resignation or immediate firing, with Markey describing the comments as "abhorrent."

The incident occurs as the administration enforces Executive Order 14183, signed by President Donald Trump, which bars transgender and nonbinary individuals from military service. Although the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit recently ruled the ban was likely driven by discriminatory animus, the policy remains in effect pending further litigation. The Department of Defense declined to criticize the language, stating it had nothing further to add beyond the secretary's remarks.