Pentagon Terminates WPS Program Amid Controversy Over "Woke" Policies

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has terminated the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) program, labeling it a “woke Biden initiative,” despite the program being signed into law by former President Donald Trump in 2017. The move has sparked bipartisan backlash, with critics noting the program’s origins under the Trump administration and its co-authorship by then-Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), now Homeland Security Secretary. The decision highlights ongoing tensions within the Pentagon over policy continuity and ideological shifts.

Background and Immediate Fallout

The WPS Act, co-written by Noem and championed by Ivanka Trump and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), aimed to integrate gender perspectives into military operations and diplomacy. Hegseth’s termination order, issued in April 2025, cited “mission creep” under the Biden administration, though internal Pentagon reviews had previously praised the program for improving operational effectiveness in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine publicly defended WPS, while Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) called the cancellation “reckless.” Noem, despite her role in drafting the original bill, initially remained silent before opposing the move days later.

Hegseth later backtracked, claiming the Biden administration had “distorted” the program’s intent, but maintained the termination. The reversal followed leaks revealing Signal chats where Hegseth shared classified Yemen strike plans with family members and a personal lawyer—an incident now under investigation by the Pentagon’s inspector general. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jack Reed (D-RI) jointly demanded accountability, while Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) termed the leaks “indefensible.”

Broader Pentagon Turmoil

The WPS controversy is part of broader management challenges under Hegseth. Former aides describe his tenure as “total chaos,” citing mass firings of senior officials and financial mismanagement. The Signal leaks, which accidentally included The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg, violated the Federal Records Act, prompting Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to request a National Archives review. These incidents have raised questions about operational security and adherence to protocols.

Key Stakeholders	Position
Gen. Dan Caine	Defended WPS for improving military operations
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen	Criticized termination as “reckless”
Kristi Noem	Co-wrote original bill; later opposed cancellation

Policy and Security Implications

The termination aligns with the Trump administration’s broader “anti-woke” agenda but exposes inconsistencies in policy execution. The WPS program’s cancellation—despite its Trump-era origins—suggests ideological priorities outweighing legislative history. Meanwhile, the Signal leaks highlight systemic security risks, with classified information shared via unsecured channels. The Pentagon probe may set precedents for handling similar violations.

For security professionals, the incident underscores the need for:

Strict enforcement of communication protocols for sensitive data
Audits of third-party messaging app usage in government workflows
Enhanced monitoring of data exfiltration vectors

Conclusion

The WPS program’s termination reflects deepening ideological divides in defense policy, while the accompanying security lapses reveal operational vulnerabilities. The Pentagon’s response to the Signal investigation will test accountability mechanisms for high-ranking officials. As policy and security debates converge, the episode serves as a case study in balancing ideological mandates with institutional integrity.