The new leader of the Department of Defense has put an end to National Native American Heritage Month in the U.S. military.

In guidance issued on January 31, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claimed that celebrations of Native American Heritage Month run counter to the “warfighting mission” of the department.

“Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,” the guidance stated as Hegseth canceled official celebrations that reference race, gender and culture.

The department, as well as the individual branches of the military, have long celebrated Native American Heritage Month. The very first events took place after then-president George H.W. Bush, a Republican, signed into law a joint Congressional resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month in 1990.

Public Law 101-343, in fact, highlights the support that Native peoples provided to the brand-new United States. The Oneida Nation, for example, served as a key ally during the Revolutionary War that led to America’s independence.

According to the law, “the people and Government of the United States should be reminded of the assistance given to this country’s Founding Fathers by the ancestors of today’s American Indians, including the support the original inhabitants provided to George Washington and his troops during the winter of 1777-1778, which they spent in Valley Forge.”

The celebration has since become known as Native American Heritage Month and is observed government-wide every November. But it’s now been swept up in President Donald Trump’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

“We are proud of our warriors and their history, but we will focus on the character of their service instead of their immutable characteristics,” Hegseth said in his new guidance.

American Indians and Alaska Natives enlist in the military at the highest rates per capita of any racial or ethnic group in the nation. Their contributions have long been recognized as valuable, most notably with service members known as Code Talkers using their Native languages to develop and transmit unbreakable codes during World War II and other conflicts.

Though Hegseth is a veteran of the U.S. Army, he does not have experience running a large operation. The Department of Defense manages more than 2.8 million active duty, reserve and civilian employees.

“Service members and civilians remain permitted to attend these events in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours,” the guidance reads.

The Republican-led U.S. Senate confirmed Hegseth to serve as Secretary by a vote of 51 to 50 on January 25. He received the least support of any Defense nominee in history.

Due to opposition from three Republicans — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky — the vote of Vice President J.D. Vance was required to break the tie in the chamber. The position of Vice President of the United States comes with the power to cast such tie-breaking votes.

Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations,…

— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) January 23, 2025

In explaining her opposition to Hegseth, Murkowski cited statements he made in the past about women serving in combat. The guidance he issued also cancels events related to Women’s History Month, set to begin on March 1.

“Women have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in combat and leadership roles, and they deserve to know that their leader honors and values their commitment to our nation,” said Murkwoski, who is serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for the 119th Congress.