Nearly 400 books—including landmark titles on civil rights, feminism, racism, and the Holocaust—have been removed from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library, following orders tied to a federal directive targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) materials.
The move comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to strip DEI-related content from federal institutions. While the initiative has already led to changes in websites, curriculums, and programs, this latest step marks a deeper dive into educational resources—specifically library collections.
Among the removed books are Maya Angelou’s powerful autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Memorializing the Holocaust, and Half American, which tells the story of African Americans during World War II. Other titles focus on gender identity, race in art and literature, the Ku Klux Klan, and the treatment of women in different cultures—topics that have increasingly become political flashpoints.
According to Navy spokesperson Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, the review began with keyword searches in the Nimitz Library’s catalogue. From there, officials flagged around 900 titles for closer examination. Ultimately, 381 books were pulled to comply with executive orders issued by President Trump.
Interestingly, the removals happened just before a pre-scheduled visit from Hegseth to the academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Officials insist the timing was coincidental.
The U.S. Naval Academy, along with the Air Force and West Point military academies, wasn’t initially included in the January executive order targeting K-12 schools that receive federal funds. But attention turned toward the Naval Academy after a media report highlighted that DEI-related books were still available in its library.
It’s unclear whether Hegseth personally ordered the purge or if it came from within his office. What is clear is that the Pentagon has stated its commitment to following the President’s directives. A Pentagon spokesperson reiterated that the academies are working to ensure all educational material aligns with current policies.
Meanwhile, other military academies are also reviewing their content. West Point has completed a curriculum review and may examine library materials next, if directed. The Air Force Academy is currently in the middle of a curriculum audit, though officials haven’t said whether it includes library books.
This crackdown hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lawmakers, community leaders, and citizens have raised concerns—especially after the Defense Department temporarily removed a webpage honouring Jackie Robinson, a baseball icon and military veteran, during its sweep of DEI materials.
While supporters of the move say it’s about keeping military education focused, critics argue it’s an erasure of important historical and cultural perspectives.
As this campaign unfolds, questions remain about the line between government policy and academic freedom—and what might be next on the chopping block.
