The United States is dealing with a military recruiting crisis and questions about military readiness in the aftermath of the withdrawal debacle in Afghanistan as China and Russia become more aggressive. So why are military leaders actively sabotaging their operations to score political points?

This is the question that should be posed to Space Force Chief Operating Officer Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt. At a “Pentagon Pride” event, Burt complained about how “more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced at the state level” under the flimsy connection that this harms our military readiness because service members could have families that are trying to secure sex changes for their minor children.

So how is Burt combating this perceived threat to military readiness? With an actual threat to military readiness. “When I look at potential candidates — say for squadron command — I strive to match the right person to the right job,” Burt said . “I consider their job performance and relevant experience first. However … if a good match for a job does not feel safe being themselves and performing at their highest potential at a given location, I am compelled to consider a different candidate and perhaps less qualified.”

Yes, the chief operating officer of a branch of the U.S. military wants you to know that if some states do not let children undergo permanent sex change surgeries in accordance with liberal transgender ideology, she will make sure she promotes less qualified candidates for important military positions. Don't you feel so much safer now?

This is the natural evolution of the Pentagon’s embrace of woke liberal politics. Burt’s priority is fighting political battles in Florida, not protecting the country from foreign threats. She is making decisions based not on what is best for the country but on what is best for her political tribe. After all, why else is the Pentagon even hosting a political event like “Pentagon Pride” in the first place?

If Burt is so concerned about making sure American children can get sex change surgeries, she should resign and run for political office, where debates like this are to be had. Political activism doesn’t belong in the military, and certainly not when the execution of that activism is the purposeful sabotage of military readiness.