CBC, CAPAC, Jewish Caucus Chairs Condemn Secretary of Defense’s Comments on Grooming Standards

Today, Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Brad Schneider, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Jewish Caucus, and Rep. Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following joint statement in response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's comments regarding grooming and uniform standards within the U.S. military:

"We are deeply concerned about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's comments declaring there will be 'no more beardos' in the U.S. Armed Forces and that 'the age of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.'

"Hegseth's appalling comments are an insult to the millions of Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Americans who have answered the call to serve. Time and time again, these brave men and women have shown that they can practice their faith while serving honorably and effectively. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right that our nation's servicemembers defend and have the right to exercise themselves. Religious accommodations for beards, which were permitted under the first Trump presidency and repeatedly upheld by the courts, must remain in place.

"Furthermore, these comments ignore the very real impact these policies have on Black servicemembers, many of whom seek shaving profiles due to medical conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, a condition that disproportionately affects Black men. Dismissing these accommodations as 'ridiculous' not only undermines medical guidance, it also perpetuates a culture of exclusion. Any move to eliminate or stigmatize beard accommodations - whether for religious or medical reasons - risks marginalizing communities that have long faced discriminatory grooming standards in the military. Our servicemen and servicewomen put their lives on the line to protect our country and deserve nothing but the utmost respect.

"As Members of Congress, we demand that the Department of Defense clarify their memorandum from September 30 and explain how they plan to honor the religious liberty and medical accommodations of our brave servicemembers. We must support our troops, not sow division in the military."