1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

I am writing to urge your oversight regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s reported removal of four officers—two Black and two female—from a one-star promotion list. Military promotions must remain apolitical and merit-based. These officers were selected through a rigorous process after years of distinguished service, and senior Army leadership reportedly opposed removing them. Striking individual names raises serious concerns about fairness, legality, and the integrity of the system. Most troubling is the appearance of racial and gender bias—exactly what Secretary Hegseth has said he intends to eliminate. Actions like this risk undermining trust in a promotion process that must be based on performance, not identity. Our armed forces depend on confidence that advancement reflects merit. Decisions that appear to single out officers based on race or gender threaten morale and cohesion across the ranks. I urge you to investigate this matter and advocate for reinstating these officers unless a lawful, transparent, merit-based justification is clearly demonstrated. Thank you for your attention.