The U.S. Naval Academy has removed nearly 400 books that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from its library.
The step, reported by The Associated Press, is the latest in the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate DEI policies, programs, social media postings and curriculum in federal agencies and schools.
The academy did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
Officials for the Annapolis, Md., school were instructed to review the library late last week, though it is unclear if the directive came directly from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth arrived for a visit Tuesday, though officials said the visit was unconnected to the purge, according to the AP.
About 900 books were initially identified in the sweep, before nearly 400 were removed. A list of the books has not yet been made available.
The academy recently announced it would no longer consider race, ethnicity or sex as a factor for admission, despite a U.S. senior district judge upholding the Naval Academy’s race-conscious admissions policy in December.
According to the AP, West Point and the Air Force have also completed reviews of their curriculum and are prepared to review library content if directed.
Hegseth and the Pentagon faced backlash recently after attempts to remove DEI content resulted in the removal of military heroes and historic mentions from the Defense Department’s websites and social media pages.
On Monday, the Naval Academy mistakenly removed photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates from a display case in preparation for Hegseth’s visit.
Meanwhile, web pages highlighting Jackie Robinson, Japanese American veterans, the Navajo Code Talkers and Army Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers, a Black recipient of the Medal of Honor, were also removed from the Pentagon’s website.
Officials said the removals were all mistakes and have been reversed.
