Republicans blast Pentagon official for saying 'nonbinary' policies a military 'readiness' issue

Republicans blasted a Pentagon official on Tuesday for describing "nonbinary" policies are a U.S. military "readiness" issue.

"We've heard concerns about … policies focused on the needs of nonbinary service members. Please know our commitment is resolute, just as it has been over the past three-and-a-half years, to continue our progress in full alignment with our focus on readiness and our focus on the well-being of our people, on which our readiness depends," Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said during a DoD LGBTQI+ Pride event.

Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, a potential GOP vice presidential pick for former President Trump, argued that Hicks' comments showed that the Biden Administration is focused on the wrong issues.

"Instead of closing the border & stopping terrorists from entering our country, Biden is focused on this stupid woke crap. Vote Trump!" he said.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Miss., also reacted to her comments, saying that Biden and the Democrats' have an "obsession with woke policies" that have "made America less safe."

According to a Fox News report, spokesperson for Hicks said she was speaking about "the need for Americans to choose public service in order to sustain our all-volunteer force, and the need to ensure health, safety and trust within our military as a matter of readiness."

The spokesperson continued, saying, "That would include listening to servicemember input on a wide variety of policies-not just the ones she highlighted on this occasion. She didn’t talk about, or imply, the importance of any particular policy in the context of national security."