U.S. Naval Academy Removes Hundreds of DEI Books Amid Policy Changes
In a significant move aligning with recent federal directives, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, has removed nearly 400 books promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from its library. This action follows President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives within federal institutions, including educational establishments.
A Navy spokesperson confirmed to The Christian Post that these books were removed from the academy’s Nimitz Library to adhere to the executive directives. The library, a key resource for the academic development of midshipmen, is home to approximately 590,000 print books, 322 databases, and over 5,000 journals and magazines.
The recent removal of books was instigated after academy officials conducted a review of the library’s content. Initially, around 900 books were identified for review, with nearly 400 ultimately being removed, as reported by The Associated Press.
This action precedes a visit from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which academy officials stated was planned prior to the book removal and was unrelated to the event. The specific titles removed have not been disclosed.
Other military academies, such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Air Force Academy, are also conducting curriculum reviews. West Point is prepared to undertake a library content review upon receiving instructions from the Army.
The Trump administration’s DEI policies have led to some uncertainty in their interpretation, according to the Associated Press. Prior to Hegseth’s visit, the Naval Academy mistakenly removed photos of notable female Jewish graduates, which have since been restored.
Upon returning to office, President Trump has actively worked to abolish DEI programs, labeling them “illegal” and “discriminatory.” In January, he signed an executive order to end affirmative action in hiring and admissions, and another to eliminate race and sex-based discrimination in the Armed Forces.
In response, the Naval Academy has revised its admissions policy, eliminating considerations of race, ethnicity, or sex, as confirmed by Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, the superintendent of the academy. This decision follows a December court ruling allowing the academy to maintain its race-conscious admissions policy, which was challenged by Students for Fair Admissions.
Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, expressed approval of the policy shift, stating, “Racial discrimination is wrong and racial classifications have no place at our nation’s military academies.”
The Department of Justice has requested a pause in the court case against the academy’s previous admissions policy, pending review of the new policy. This development comes in the wake of a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring the use of race in admissions unconstitutional for the University of North Carolina and Harvard University.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
