A Pentagon Influencer Called Liberal Women a ‘Pestilence’ Who Will End Western Civilization

An employee with extremist public statements is working within the Pentagon on ideological matters.

Kurt Schlichter, a conservative influencer with over 620,000 followers on X, was identified as a civilian government employee working for the Pentagon's undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. The Washington Post reported he was assigned an active government email address and listed in a government database as a "highly qualified expert" (HQE). Schlichter confirmed his role, stating he was part of a task force focused on eliminating "woke ideologies" at military war colleges. WIRED reviewed numerous social media posts by Schlichter exhibiting extremist views, including advocating for authoritarian measures against liberals, suggesting voting restrictions based on marital status, military service, and property ownership, and expressing admiration for dictators like Augusto Pinochet and Francisco Franco. He also posted disparaging remarks about women and immigrants, referring to liberal women as a "pestilence" and immigrants as "Third World barbarians." Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson stated the department was proud to have patriotic civilians and veterans like Schlichter contribute to the task force.

The Pentagon's engagement with influencers like Kurt Schlichter, who hold extremist public views, raises serious questions about the vetting process and ideological direction within the Department of Defense. This situation suggests a potential conflict between the military's stated commitment to inclusivity and the presence of individuals promoting divisive and undemocratic ideologies within its ranks. The involvement of such figures in shaping the views of future military leaders could have long-term implications for military cohesion and public trust.

This incident highlights a broader trend of political polarization entering military institutions, potentially compromising their apolitical standing. The Pentagon's defense of Schlichter's involvement, citing patriotic contributions, underscores a willingness to overlook controversial rhetoric in favor of perceived ideological alignment. This approach may signal a shift in how the military defines and utilizes civilian expertise, prioritizing certain political viewpoints over potential reputational risks or internal dissent.