Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed four officers from a military promotion list for one-star general positions, according to reports from The New York Times. The officers removed include two Black men and two women.

The decision represents an unusual action by a defense secretary, as such promotion lists are typically approved without modification. The remaining promotion list includes approximately three dozen officers, most of whom are white men, though some women and Black officers remain on the list.

The removals have prompted allegations of racial and gender bias in the selection process. Military promotion lists are generally developed through established procedures within the armed services before being submitted to the defense secretary for approval.

Hegseth's action comes during his early tenure as defense secretary, having recently assumed the role. The Pentagon has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the specific reasoning behind the removals or the selection criteria used in the decision-making process.