Pentagon Orders Military-wide Review, Removal of DEI-Related Library Books

The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has ordered all military leaders to review and remove books related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), critical race theory, and gender ideology from military libraries by May 21. The directive targets materials deemed to promote "divisive concepts and gender ideology," which the Pentagon asserts are incompatible with its core mission of training military leaders. This action is part of a broader campaign, initiated under former President Donald Trump, to eliminate DEI programs and policies within the Department of Defense. The Pentagon's memo instructs service academies to adopt merit-based admissions without considering race, ethnicity, or sex starting with the 2026 cycle. Efforts have already led to the removal of hundreds of books from military academies, including texts on the Holocaust, feminism, and civil rights. A temporary Academic Libraries Committee will guide the review process and determine the disposition of the flagged materials.