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- U.S. Army libraries are under orders to review and potentially remove books focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology.
- This directive follows an executive order targeting “discriminatory equity ideology” and “gender ideology” in federal institutions.
- The move has sparked criticism from historians and former military officials, who see it as a threat to intellectual freedom and diversity.
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Essential Context
A recent memo from acting Assistant Secretary of the Army Derrick Anderson has initiated a review of books in U.S. Army libraries that “overtly promote DEI, gender ideology, and critical race theory.” This action aligns with an executive order issued by President Trump, which aimed to eliminate “discriminatory equity ideology” and “gender ideology” from federal institutions.
Core Players
- Derrick Anderson – Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army
- Donald Trump – President of the United States
- Pete Hegseth – Defense Secretary
- U.S. Army – Branch of the U.S. military affected by the directive
Key Numbers
- 381 – Number of books removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library
- 900 – Number of books initially identified for review at the Naval Academy
- 590,000 – Number of print books in the Naval Academy’s Nimitz Library
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The Catalyst
The current directive stems from an executive order issued by President Trump, which targeted what he called “the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies” and “gender ideology.” This order has been extended to cover the country’s military academies.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been instrumental in enforcing this policy, instructing the Naval Academy and other military institutions to review and remove books that do not comply.
Inside Forces
The removal of books has created significant internal confusion and debate within the military academies. Military leaders are grappling with the ambiguity of the policy, trying to balance compliance with the need to maintain a diverse and inclusive educational environment.
“There isn’t any clear criteria,” said Katherine Kuzminski, director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security. “It leaves leadership scrambling — how do we ensure compliance without being accused of overcorrecting?”
Power Dynamics
The Trump administration’s stance on DEI and gender ideology has been a point of contention. The current administration’s actions reflect a broader political agenda aimed at rolling back what it perceives as “radical indoctrination” in educational institutions.
Historians and former military officials have criticized this move, seeing it as a “cleansing” effort that undermines intellectual freedom and diversity. Richard Kohn, a military historian, noted, “It reveals a certain kind of weakness in the current administration’s confidence.”
Outside Impact
The removal of these books has broader implications for education and intellectual freedom. Critics argue that such actions restrict the spectrum of knowledge and literature available to students, potentially harming their ability to understand and engage with diverse perspectives.
U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin and 25 colleagues have written to Defense Secretary Hegseth, demanding that he reverse the efforts to remove equity and gender-related materials, calling it “naked censorship” that violates First Amendment rights.
Future Forces
The long-term effects of these book removals are yet to be fully understood. However, they are likely to influence the curriculum and intellectual environment of military academies significantly.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the balance between compliance with executive orders and the preservation of intellectual diversity will remain a critical issue.
- Ongoing curriculum reviews at the Naval and Air Force Academies
- Potential reinstatement of removed materials based on further review
- Continued political and public debate on the role of DEI in military education
Data Points
- Jan. 29, 2025: Trump’s executive order issued
- Feb. 2025: Military academies instructed to eliminate admissions quotas related to sex, ethnicity, or race
- Apr. 2025: U.S. Naval Academy removes 381 books from its library
- Apr. 15, 2025: U.S. Army libraries begin reviewing books for DEI and gender ideology content
The removal of books from U.S. Army libraries and other military academies marks a significant shift in the educational landscape of these institutions. As the debate over DEI and gender ideology continues, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the intellectual development and diversity of future military leaders.
