Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice criticized the current administration’s selection process for the Secretary of Defense, claiming that it prioritizes white, Christian, cisgender men and undermines the principle of merit-based appointments.
In her remarks, Rice stated, “Well, if you’re a white male, Christian, cisgender, macho Maga man, you can be as dumb as a rock and be deemed qualified to serve as Secretary of Defense. That’s apparently what we’ve learned from this episode.”
Rice went on to argue that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have been misrepresented and weaponized as derogatory terms to discredit a wide range of Americans.
“But let’s also be clear, there’s a serious point here,” Rice said.
“DEI has been used as a slur to suggest that anybody who might be a woman, might be a person of color, might be a religious minority, might have a disability, might be a religious minority, might be a veteran or a native descent, anybody who has benefited in any way, shape or form, from the notion that we all should be treated equally, and that we should be viewed on the basis of our merits and not discounted because we happen to be a woman or happen to be a person of color, anybody who fits the mold of somebody who is Not a white Christian cisgender male is, by definition, in this administration, deemed inferior.”
Rice concluded by suggesting that the majority of Americans do not align with the demographic profile she believes is favored by the administration.
“That is the vast majority Brian of the people in this country,” she said.
Susie Rice is REALLY upset after she got ousted from the DoD.
Now she's going on irrelevant podcasts to complain about Pete Hegseth.
Her departure from our Defense Department is one of the best actions taken by Pete Hegseth. pic.twitter.com/YZHu1ZdsNY
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 25, 2025
Rice’s comments come amid ongoing national debates over military leadership, diversity policies, and accusations of political and cultural favoritism in federal appointments.