Washington, D.C. – Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Lohmeier has been confirmed as the Under Secretary of the Air Force, marking a significant return to a senior Pentagon role for the former Space Force officer. The confirmation was announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who stated on social media, > "Under the previous administration, Lt. Col. Lohmeier was removed for exposing the rise of Marxism and Critical Race Theory in our military. Today, he’s been confirmed as Under Secretary of the Air Force. I look forward to having him at the Pentagon."
Lohmeier's previous military tenure saw him relieved of command from the 11th Space Warning Squadron in May 2021. This removal followed public comments he made on a podcast while promoting his self-published book, "Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military." In his remarks, Lohmeier criticized diversity and inclusion training within the military, describing it as "Critical Race Theory rooted in Marxism," leading to a stated "loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead."
As the second-highest ranking civilian official in the Department of the Air Force, the Under Secretary serves directly under the Secretary of the Air Force. This role involves significant oversight of the department's management, personnel, and budget, which encompasses approximately 685,000 military and civilian personnel and an annual budget of around $166 billion. The Under Secretary also assumes the powers and duties of the Secretary in their absence and holds responsibility for business operations and space acquisition programs.
Lohmeier's nomination by the previous administration signaled an intent to reverse policies he had previously criticized. During his confirmation process, Democratic senators voiced serious concerns regarding his past conduct in uniform and what they described as "extreme partisanship" displayed in his public statements and social media posts. Despite these objections, his confirmation indicates a strategic shift in leadership priorities within the Department of the Air Force.
His appointment is expected to bring a renewed focus on issues related to military training and education, particularly those concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The move highlights a continued debate over ideological influences within the armed forces and the direction of military policy under the current administration.