The U.S. Naval Academy has removed nearly 400 books from its library following a directive from the office of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The order was issued late last week, prompting an initial review that identified around 900 books for further examination. The academy decided to remove nearly 400 of these, with the process completed just before Hegseth’s planned visit to the academy on Tuesday. A list of the removed books has not been released.
This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from federal agencies, including policies, programs, and educational content.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that all service academies are committed to following President Trump’s Executive Orders. While the Naval, Air Force, and Military Academies were not directly covered by the January executive order that banned DEI instruction in K-12 schools receiving federal funding, they are now under review due to recent directives.
The attention on the Naval Academy intensified after a media report highlighted that the institution had not yet removed DEI-related books. It remains unclear whether Hegseth personally issued the order or if it came from someone on his staff.
West Point officials confirmed they had reviewed their curriculum and were ready to assess library content if instructed by the Army. Similarly, the Air Force Academy continuously reviews its curriculum to ensure compliance with executive orders and Defense Department policies.
Hegseth has been vocal in his efforts to eliminate DEI programs and related online content, facing criticism from lawmakers, local leaders, and citizens over the removal of historical references and military honors from official platforms.
The confusion surrounding DEI policy was highlighted when Naval Academy staff mistakenly removed photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates from a display case in preparation for Hegseth’s visit. The photos were promptly reinstated.
In a statement, the Navy acknowledged the mistake and assured that the academy’s leadership was taking steps to correct the issue. During his visit, Hegseth met with students and had lunch at the academy, with the event closed to media coverage.