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Rep. Suozzi writes to Secretary of War, appeals rollback of beard policy
The policy update from Hegseth's Department of War has received widespread condemnation.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Fri, 24, Oct 2025
- 02:53 EDT
- 27
Congressman Tom Suozzi and Secretary of War Peter Hegseth / Wikimedia commons
Congressman Tom Suozzi has written to US Secretary of War Peter Hegseth, urging him to reconsider the department's new grooming policy for personnel serving in the military.
Hegseth, while addressing military commanders at Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, made multiple remarks about serving personnel with beards. He said, "No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression”. He also said, “no more beardo-s."
ALSO READ: Hegseth slams 'fat generals,' says U.S. officers should resign if they don't support his agenda
The United States Army's 'facial hair grooming standards' policy previously allowed for religious accommodations to its grooming standards, allowing serving Sikhs to grow beards and thereby comply with their religious requirements while serving. However, Hegseth, in his comments, contradicted this policy and announced a near-zero-tolerance policy.
Suozzi wrote that he was raising the concerns of Sikhs, Muslims, and African Americans in his constituency. He noted that, "some fear that a 'beard ban', if implemented without religious, cultural, or medical exemptions, could inadvertently prevent them from serving their country in uniform".
Suozzi, in his letter, expressed support for the shared desire to ensure professionalism and uniformity in the military, but also noted that the blanket ban has raised concerns within citizens whose faith or medical conditions require the maintenance of facial hair.
He added, "I believe it is entirely possible to uphold the highest standards while also preserving reasonable, case-by-case accommodations—ensuring that those willing to serve can do so without compromising their deeply held beliefs."
Highlighting the Sikh belief of sacredness of service to the country, he noted the 'Sant-Sipahi' (saint-soldier) ideal that blends faith and service.
He further said, "Sikhs have maintained uncut hair and beards as symbols of devotion and equality before God. Sikhs have courageously fought alongside American troops for generations, including in both World Wars."
Sikhs, Muslims, and African Americans have all served our nation by wearing our Military’s uniform.
— Tom Suozzi (@RepTomSuozzi) October 16, 2025
During his September 30th address to our nation’s general and flag officers, Pete Hegseth said: “We’re going to cut our hair, shave our beards, and adhere to standards… No more… pic.twitter.com/MKvUIrUGrw
Suozzi also raised the concerns held by Muslim and African-American personnel, highlighting the religious recommendation in Islam to maintain beards under Sunnah Mu'akkadah and medical conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, that disproportionately affects African American men.
Summing up his appeal, Suozzi said, "These men and women are both the bravest fighting force the world has ever known—and they should never have to choose between their faith, culture, and country. By reaffirming that balance, your Department will further strengthen both readiness and unity of purpose."
The policy update from Hegseth's Department of War has received widespread condemnation. Community organizations like The Sikh Coalition and political groupings like the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) have decried the new grooming policy. However, it has also found favour in some Republican circles. Hegseth had previously received support from Vice President JD Vance who claimed that it would help return the armed forces to the high standards they once maintained.
ALSO READ: Sikh Coalition decries Defence Secretary's ban on beards in U.S. Armed Forces
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