The U.S. Senate is being urged to reject the appointment of a New York City-based colonel to brigadier general due to his support for diversity initiatives and his praise for a servicemember’s decision to leave the Air Force over political objections. This call was made by Victoria Manning, a columnist for Restoration News.
Colonel Todd E. Randolph, who is currently serving as a military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, addressed commanders at Joint Base Andrews in 2023, where he emphasized that diversity should be seen as a strength within the military.
According to Randolph, “Stay committed to promoting that our diversity is a strength. Everyone is welcome here, and it’s important for us to recognize that everyone has a story.” In November 2024, during a Young Professionals Briefing, Randolph praised a servicemember who left the Air Force due to personal objections related to supporting Israel after an attack by Hamas. He described this as an example of the strength found in diverse perspectives. Additionally, Randolph spoke at a Women’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) conference in 2024, asserting that diverse representation “drives economic growth, enhances organization performance, and contributes to a more equitable and just society.”
Manning wrote that “it’s imperative that President Trump appoints senior-level military officers who will enthusiastically follow the orders of the Commander in Chief.” She further criticized recent announcements for senior officer promotions under Trump’s administration, claiming they include individuals with ideologies not aligned with what she describes as a “warrior-focused military.”
Doug Truax, CEO of Restoration of America and a U.S. Army veteran and West Point graduate, expressed similar sentiments in an interview with NYC Gazette: “we’ve got to get back in the business of having warriors join our military.”
President Trump issued an executive order on January 27—his first week back in office—banning DEI initiatives within the military. The order aims to eliminate race- and sex-based discrimination while restoring meritocracy and lethality in the armed forces. Despite this directive, Restoration News suggests that nominations like Randolph’s indicate ongoing resistance to these merit-based reforms at senior command levels.
