Fox News Host Ripped Apart After Pleading With DOGE to Be 'Less Callous' After Veteran Friend Gets Laid Off: 'That Is Literally DEI'

Fox News host Jesse Watters was ripped apart after pleading with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to be "less callous" only after his veteran friend got laid off.

During Wednesday's "The Five" segment, Watters asked his fellow anchors to "be a little bit less callous" when talking "about DOGE-ing people" because his friend, Chris, who served for 20 years, may lose his job at the Pentagon.

"This guy's not a [diversity, equity and inclusion] consultant, he's not a climate consultant. This guy is a veteran. So when you're talking about DOGE-ing people, veterans should get priority," Watters declared.

"Veterans should get priority. Because if you're going to go out there and kill enemies, and put your life on the line for this country, you shouldn't be in the same category as people that are doing DEI," he added.

An X user pointed out that days ago, Watters commended DOGE for effectively culling the federal workforce to cut costs. He disagrees now because he "knows someone who got DOGE'd."

"Jesse Watters on 2/14: 'So Musk is trying to do something, fire a couple people, get rid of the waste. I wouldn't resist that. I would just sit back and watch and say, "Thank you."'

Watters on 2/19: 'I finally found 1 person I knew that got DOGE'd, and it hit me in the heart,'" @AaronBlake wrote.

Others pointed out that companies that prioritize hiring veterans are promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

"You're almost there, Jesse. The veterans are DEI hires. You're confused because you think DEI means 'Black,'" an X user wrote.

"How do they not understand that DEI includes people who are competent and fit the job requirements? It's such a simple thing... must have a small mind to not understand that concept," X user @ashleighlondon added.

Watters's colleagues agreed with his sentiment and jokingly scolded him for "arguing with himself."