Naval Academy Enacts Sweeping Book Purge

two piles of books in foreground, with stacks of books out of focus in the background. — Stacks of books in the bookstore

The U.S. Naval Academy’s recent removal of nearly 400 DEI books marks a significant shift in its educational policies.

Key Insights

The U.S. Naval Academy removed nearly 400 books from its library following a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office to eliminate content promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
An initial review identified about 900 books for further examination, with nearly 400 ultimately removed.
The book removal is part of the Trump Administration’s broader effort to eliminate DEI content from federal agencies, including educational institutions.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that all service academies are committed to implementing President Trump’s executive orders.

Background of the Removal

The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis embarked on a large-scale review of its library materials, resulting in the removal of almost 400 books that centered around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics. This action aligns with federal policy shifts that originated during President Trump’s administration. The revamp is seen in part as a response to directives from Pete Hegseth’s office, the Secretary of Defense.

An article from Time Magazine reports that the Naval Academy’s review process initially flagged about 900 books for further scrutiny. This process eventually led to the excision of the nearly 400 books, a portion of which had their educational roles scrutinized for allegedly propagating DEI principles.

Impact of Federal Policy Shifts

This strategic culling aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to curb DEI-related instruction and resources across federal educational institutions. It is part of a broader national initiative aimed at revising educational content to focus more on traditional subjects and lessen the emphasis on diversity topics. All service academies have echoed commitments to conform with these federal directives, as stated by a Pentagon spokesman.

Additionally, this action was taken in response to a media report that brought attention to the library’s DEI materials, emphasizing the Academy’s quick adaptation to the new mandates. The U.S. Naval Academy, along with the Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, are revising their curricular resources to align with executive orders.

Controversy and Adjustments

Despite the restructuring, there has been some confusion and controversy surrounding these implementation efforts. Notably, mistakes were made, including the removal of photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates, which were reportedly addressed and rectified swiftly. This incident has sparked debates concerning the implications for military educational content and balance.

This move by the Naval Academy has faced public backlash, with lawmakers and citizens expressing concerns over censorship. As a result, some removed contents have been reinstated. While Hegseth’s visit to the Naval Academy was shrouded in confidentiality, it underscored the institution’s endeavor to conform to national educational policy trends.