On her MSNBC program, Jen Psaki dismissed Republican concerns regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training in the military. She characterized the GOP's focus on the issue as a "right-wing conspiracy," emphasizing the minimal time commitment required for such training – just one hour compared to 160 hours dedicated to rifle marksmanship.

Psaki directly addressed criticisms that DEI initiatives are detrimental to military readiness and recruitment, arguing that these concerns are overblown. She also pointed fingers at Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), a vocal opponent of DEI programs, suggesting that his outspokenness is itself a form of politicizing the military.

Tuberville, along with other Republicans, contends that the emphasis on DEI within the military has come at the expense of national security priorities, diverting attention from the core mission of defense. He has expressed concern about the declining public trust in the military under the current administration.

The House recently passed the annual defense policy bill, a move met with resistance from Democrats due to amendments targeting abortion travel reimbursements, transgender medical care, and DEI programs. Democrats criticized these amendments as politically motivated, while Republicans framed them as necessary to restore the military's focus on its primary objectives. The Senate is slated to review its own version of the bill soon.