What Prompted The Unexpected Book Culling At The Naval Academy

United States Navy flag waving in the wind.

The U.S. Naval Academy’s removal of 400 books raises questions about the interplay between federal policies and military education directives.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Naval Academy removed nearly 400 books following a directive to eliminate DEI content from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office.
An initial review targeted about 900 books, with 400 ultimately removed.
These actions align with broader efforts to phase out DEI content, as part of the Trump administration’s policy.
The removal sparked backlash, and some content was restored following confusion.

Removal of DEI Books

The U.S. Naval Academy undertook a significant library purge, removing approximately 400 books that feature content promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This decision follows a directive from the office of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, targeting educational materials that align with DEI themes. This move is part of a larger strategy spearheaded by the Trump administration aiming to revise educational policy across federal institutions and military academies.

Prior to the removal, an initial review was conducted, identifying about 900 books for closer examination. However, nearly 400 books were ultimately taken out, a decision driven by the presence of DEI-promoting content. This library purge coincides with Secretary Hegseth’s visit to the Naval Academy, although the events are unrelated. The visit was not covered by the media, which adds a layer of mystery to the proceedings.

Broader Policy Implications

This book removal reflects the broader scope of the Trump administration’s educational reforms. These policies particularly focus on eliminating DEI content from all federal agencies, extending to higher education institutions such as the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and U.S. Military Academy. Although these academies fall outside President Trump’s initial executive order banning DEI instruction in K-12 schools with federal funding, the principles guiding these orders continue to shape policy

The implementation of these policies is overseen by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, who reaffirms the commitment of all service academies to adhere to the executive orders. As part of this compliance, the Air Force Academy also reviews its materials to ensure alignment with federal directives.

Controversy and Backlash

The removal has not been without controversy. Backlash from lawmakers and the public led to the reinstatement of some content, especially after incorrect interpretations of DEI policies. A notable incident occurred with the mistaken removal of photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates, which were thankfully restored

Beyond criticisms, Hegseth’s visit—which coincided with the book removal event—sparked further questions. However, without media coverage, little is known about the specifics of his visit to the Naval Academy. Nonetheless, these events underscore a significant period of transition in the educational landscape of military institutions.