Trump’s Executive Orders End DEI and Restore Military Readiness

Retired Major General Joe Arbuckle, co-founder of STARS (Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services), detailed four executive orders from the Trump administration that are transforming the Department of Defense by eliminating DEI programs, reinstating service members discharged over COVID vaccine mandates, and restoring meritocracy under Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership. Liberty Toastmasters: Distinguishing Facts from Propaganda Dennis Haynes, President of Liberty Toastmasters North, facilitated the monthly segment where members discussed how to identify propaganda and seek truth. Start listening at 28:54 – Hour 1 Dave Walden shared a formative experience at IBM in 1968 when he questioned the company’s affirmative action program, illustrating how reason and logic remain the essential tools for distinguishing fact from belief. “Reason and logic are the only methods that man has thus far discovered that reveal to him facts and opinions, or opinions backed up by facts rather than beliefs.” Dennis Haynes Greg Morrissey encouraged direct engagement with local government, noting that press accounts often diverge from what actually happens at city council meetings. Carol Baker discussed how Toastmasters leadership training prepared her to run for secretary of the Arapahoe County Republicans. Start listening at 36:18 – Hour 1 Rick Rome traced propaganda back to tribal days and cited the serenity prayer to suggest that changing one’s perspective is essential to discerning truth. Ross Klopf analyzed specific media propaganda techniques including order of news, single point of view (SPAS), and juxtaposition. Start listening at 49:55 – Hour 1 “They use what’s called SPAS propaganda, which is single point of view. They only will show one side of the debate. It would be the pro-gun control side. They will not show the pro-rights, pro-Constitution, pro-freedom side.” Ross Klopf Executive Orders Eliminate DEI from the Military Joe Arbuckle explained that President Trump’s first executive order, issued on Inauguration Day, declared DEI illegal throughout the federal government and required all DEI offices to close by 5 p.m. that evening. Start listening at 73:47 – Hour 2 “The first EO that came out the first day of office when President Trump took over was called ending radical and wasteful spending. It said that DEI, diversity, equity, inclusion, is illegal. It required that all DEI offices throughout the federal government be closed by five o’clock that evening.” Joe Arbuckle Three additional executive orders issued January 27 specifically address the military: Restore America’s Fighting Force eliminates racial and gender preferences in favor of meritocracy; Prioritize Military Excellence and Readiness addresses transgender policies and eliminates pronouns; and the fourth reinstates service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine with full back pay and benefits. Secretary Hegseth’s Priorities Arbuckle praised Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who signed a memo stating “DOD does not equal DEI” with the warning that those who do not comply “will no longer work her...