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What it means to be Black in a military controlled by Trump and Hegseth

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published June 30, 2026 at 11:06 AM CDT

DeMarcus Gilliard, a veteran Marine captain, shows a pin with a U.S. and U.S. Marines flag that he often wears to remind him of his military service, in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Friday, April 23, 2021. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

The Atlantic’s Clint Smith spoke with dozens of current and former Black members of the military about how they feel the Trump administration has been trying to erase their accomplishments and history, and send a message that they are not welcome.

Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with Smith about his article “Being Black in Pete Hegseth’s military.”

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Here & Now Newsroom