Pentagon fires back after Mark Kelly accuses Pete Hegseth of targeting women and Black military officers

The Department of Defense rejected claims by Sen. Mark Kelly that Pete Hegseth targeted women and Black officers, stating that promotions are based on merit. Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona and retired astronaut, made the accusation during confirmation proceedings for Hegseth's position as Secretary of Defense. The Pentagon said its promotion system evaluates officers according to established criteria and performance records.

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