The U.S. Naval Academy has removed nearly 400 books from its library as part of a broader effort to comply with a Pentagon directive targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) materials. This significant move aligns with the Trump administration's ongoing initiative to eliminate DEI-related content across federal agencies, affecting not only the Naval Academy but also other service academies such as the Air Force Academy and West Point.
According to a statement from a U.S. official reported by the Associated Press, the Naval Academy received an order to purge these books just days before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's scheduled visit on April 1, 2025. The directive was part of a memo titled “Restoring America’s Fighting Force,” which mandated a review of library content and the removal of materials associated with race-based preferences and DEI initiatives.
In the weeks leading up to this decision, a preliminary search had identified approximately 900 books that warranted further examination. Ultimately, academy officials decided to remove nearly 400 books from their Nimitz Library, completing the task just before Hegseth's visit. The exact titles of the books removed have not yet been disclosed.
This directive has sparked considerable backlash, particularly due to the removal of historical content that includes significant works on figures like Jackie Robinson and the Tuskegee Airmen, who are celebrated for their contributions to civil rights and military history. Critics argue that such removals represent a troubling trend of erasing important narratives from military education.
As the Pentagon continues to implement these sweeping changes, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized the department's commitment to adhering to President Trump's executive orders. "All service academies are fully committed to executing and implementing President Trump's executive orders," Parnell stated, underscoring the seriousness with which the administration is approaching this initiative.
This move is not isolated to the Naval Academy alone. The Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point have also been instructed to review their library content for DEI-related material. Reports indicate that these academies had not fully complied with the Trump administration's directive prior to the recent scrutiny.
In February 2025, the Trump administration issued a warning to colleges and K-12 schools, indicating that they could face the loss of federal funding if they continued to implement race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships, or other areas of student life. However, it remains uncertain whether the Naval Academy, as an undergraduate institution, received the same directive or if other service academies preparing students for active duty were similarly affected.
Pentagon officials have faced criticism from lawmakers and the public regarding the removal of historical accounts and stories of military heroes. The backlash intensified after it was revealed that some content, either mistakenly or intentionally, was removed from the Defense Department’s websites and social media platforms. In response to this criticism, the department has been working to restore some of the posts that were taken down.
The confusion around the DEI policy was further highlighted when personnel at the Naval Academy accidentally removed photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates from a display case in preparation for Hegseth's visit. These photos were subsequently restored after the oversight was recognized.
The memo instructing the removals provided guidance for conducting a digital content update across the department’s platforms, with officials given until March 5, 2025, to eliminate content related to preferential treatment based on sex, race, ethnicity, or other DEI-related matters.
In a statement released by a Navy representative, it was confirmed that the U.S. Naval Academy had removed nearly 400 books from their Nimitz Library collection to ensure compliance with all directives outlined in executive orders issued by the president. The Nimitz Library, which supports the academic inquiries and intellectual development of midshipmen, houses roughly 590,000 print books, 322 databases, and over 5,000 print journals and magazines.
The Naval Academy's mission is to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically, cultivating honorable leaders and creating a culture of excellence to prepare them for careers of service to the nation. However, the recent actions have raised questions about how this mission aligns with the removal of critical educational resources.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Naval Academy and other service academies will navigate the balance between compliance with executive orders and the preservation of historical narratives that are vital to understanding the military's past and its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
With the continued scrutiny of DEI programs across federal agencies, the implications of these removals extend beyond the walls of the Naval Academy, potentially influencing educational policies and practices in military and civilian institutions alike.
