Arlington Cemetery Removes Minority Veterans' Information Under Trump Order

Arlington National Cemetery has removed significant information from its website regarding the contributions of Black, Hispanic, and female veterans, following directives from the Pentagon that align with former President Donald Trump's orders to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content across federal agencies. This change has led to the disappearance of pages highlighting notable figures such as Gen. Colin Powell and the Tuskegee Airmen, prompting criticism from historians and lawmakers, including Rep. Adam Smith, who expressed concerns over erasing the historical significance of these veterans. The removals have created broken links on the cemetery’s website, which previously directed visitors to vital educational resources about minority service members. Critics argue that this action diminishes the visibility of the contributions made by these groups in American military history. While some biographies remain accessible through manual searches, the lack of direct links reduces their prominence. This move reflects a broader trend of diminishing DEI initiatives in the military and governmental organizations under the current administration.