Biden’s Joint Chiefs Chair nominee prioritized diversity and inclusion in Air Force personnel choices.

President Biden’s Pick for Joint Chiefs of Staff Embraces Divisive “DEI” Ideology

President Joe Biden’s purported pick to head the Defense Department’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, has a history of promoting divisive “DEI” ideology within the U.S. Air Force. DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, an ideology that discriminates based on characteristics such as skin color and sexual orientation, rather than merit. Brown has indicated that DEI would influence U.S. Air Force personnel decisions, favoring identitarian standards over merit-based qualifications.

Brown’s Efforts to Advance DEI Ideology

In November 2020, Brown indicated during a virtual discussion hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs that diversity had moved to the forefront of personnel decisions such as promotions and hiring in the Air Force. He also detailed his personal attempts to increase opportunities for so-called “diverse candidates” in the Air Force, hiring for diversity to hear different sides of the argument. Brown confirmed the Air Force was analyzing alleged “systemic biases” in its promotion system.

Following the May 2020 death of George Floyd, the Air Force launched a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force designed to “investigate the impact of demographic-related disparities” within the branch and the U.S. Space Force. The task force later transitioned into the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging that same year with a focus on cultivating these qualities across both services.

Criticism of DEI Ideology

Brown has faced criticism for his embrace of DEI ideology, with some arguing that it undermines merit-based qualifications and discriminates against certain groups. Congressional Republicans have expressed concerns about the Biden administration’s attempt to spread DEI instruction throughout the military, with Brown criticizing these sentiments in a February 2022 interview with Defense News.

Despite the controversy surrounding DEI ideology, the Defense Department has been pushing military leadership to adopt it since Biden took office. The Navy, for example, was instructed to “lead and oversee all DEI efforts across the Department to synchronize key policies and initiatives” in May 2021.

Backlash Against DEI Ideology

The Navy has recently received backlash for using a drag queen to recruit new sailors, with some arguing that it undermines the military’s mission and values. Critics of DEI ideology argue that it promotes a neo-Marxist agenda that undermines the military’s effectiveness and cohesion.

• Shawn Fleetwood is a Staff Writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington.
• He also serves as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review.
• Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood