President Joe Biden’s administration is fighting back against a new provision in the annual defense spending bill that would require military promotions to be based solely on merit rather than considering race or gender.

The White House responded to the proposed NDAA in a statement on July 10th, outlining a number of provisions the administration opposed – from the potential creation of a Space Force National Guard to the attempt to roll back some of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies that Biden had enacted at the beginning of his presidency.

“The Administration strongly opposes the House’s sweeping attempts (sections 364, 523, 566, 595, 596, 598, 904, and 1046) to eliminate the Department’s longstanding DEIA efforts and related initiatives to promote a cohesive and inclusive force,” a statement from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) read. “As articulated in the 2022 NDS, one of the Department’s top priorities is building a resilient Joint Force and defense enterprise.”

“DoD’s strategic advantage in a complex global security environment is the diverse and dynamic talent pool from which we draw. We rely on diverse perspectives, experiences, and skillsets to remain a global leader, deter war, and keep our nation secure. Moreover, DoD is committed to developing and maintaining a dignified, respectful, and safe workplace. Legislation that reduces DoD’s ability to create a positive work environment and fully leverage the best our nation has to offer puts the Department at a strategic disadvantage,” the OMB’s statement continued.

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) called the White House’s rebuff of the provisions he wrote — both the merit clause and the clauses repealing Biden’s DEI initiatives — a “badge of honor,” adding, “Wokeness is a cancer that will destroy our military from the inside out if we don’t stop it.”

The merit clause makes no mention of race or gender, reading simply: “A candidate shall be evaluated on the bases of qualifications, performance, integrity, fitness, training and conduct. No determination may be based on favoritism or nepotism; and no quota may be used.”

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) supported the move to strip DEI provisions from military promotions, adding, “What we’re trying to do is move to a colorblind, race-neutral worldview, where we’re focused on building a national defense and a military that is focused on, you know, blowing things up and killing people, not on social engineering wrapped in a uniform.”

The Biden administration does not appear to share that view.

Police announced on Tuesday the arrest of a suspect in connection to a fatal shooting on the campus of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., last week.

Jaime Maceo, a 22-year-old from Northwest D.C. also known as Jaime Macedo, was detained pursuant to a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant and is charged with First Degree Murder while Armed, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said in a news release.

“The Metropolitan Police Department would like to thank the community for their information and tips that helped progress the investigation,” MPD said.

UPDATE: Max Emerson's mom tells me investigators called her ~2pm today to tell her they made an arrest in connection with her son's murder in DC last week: "Relieved, one step closer to deeper healing.”

25yo was visiting from Kentucky when shot & killed on Catholic U campus pic.twitter.com/7aerZ8E2YN

— Homa Bash (@HomaBashNews) July 11, 2023

Police said the killing of 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson, of Crestwood, Kentucky, took place Wednesday, July 5, on the 600 block of Alumni Lane in Northeast D.C., which is on the campus of Catholic University outside Father O’Connell Hall.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at around 8:22 a.m. and found Emerson, who was transported to a local hospital by D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services and succumbed to his wounds despite lifesaving efforts, MPD said.

Emerson has been identified as a high school teacher and assistant wrestling coach who was visiting the nation’s capital with his family and was on his way to a conference at the Library of Congress when the violent confrontation took place.

Police previously indicated a suspicion that Emerson and the gunman knew each other and got into an argument after walking onto campus, but Emerson’s family insisted to Fox 5 that there was no prior connection between them. The family also said they received a Snapchat message from Emerson that read, “Help. Bring ribbed At cub point,” right before the attack which they determined was meant to say he was being robbed and held at gunpoint.

MDP released surveillance camera images of a suspect on Friday and noted that police offer a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading up to an arrest and conviction of anyone who has committed a homicide.

MPD seeks a suspect in reference to a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, in the 600 Block of Alumni Lane, Northeast.

Release: https://t.co/GWarhA3TVJ pic.twitter.com/IBngJb0Kk0

— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) July 7, 2023

While it was not immediately clear whether Macedo had an attorney in the case, as reported by The Washington Post, court records indicate he had prior run-ins with law enforcement, a guilty plea for an illegal gun possession charge, and probation violations in recent years.

“Our prayers have been answered,” Emerson’s father, Steve Emerson, told NBC Washington after the arrest. “We’re happy an arrest in the murder of our son has been made. Not only happy that he’s off the street but that the community and D.C. is a little bit safer.”

Following a prayer service on Thursday outside Father O’Connell Hall, Catholic University President Peter Kilpatrick issued message on Friday expressing remorse for the loss of Emerson, noting that he was not a member but still a “brother” to the community, while also commenting on crime.

“Let us pray for a conversion of hardened hearts and for those who inflict violence on our streets,” Kilpatrick said. “May they find inspiration here on campus and the light of God’s love in their hearts.”