During a recent Cabinet meeting, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made headlines by claiming that the Trump administration has effectively eliminated “99.9%” of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the military. This statement came in response to President Donald Trump’s inquiry regarding the complete cessation of such efforts under his leadership.

Executive Orders Targeting DEI Policies

The Trump administration has implemented several measures aimed at curtailing DEI initiatives within the armed forces. Notably, in January, President Trump signed an executive order prohibiting transgender individuals from enlisting or serving openly in the military. However, this ban has faced significant legal challenges.

On March 19, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled against the enforcement of this ban, stating that the order was “soaked in animus” and discriminated against individuals based on their transgender status. This ruling has led to nationwide injunctions preventing the administration from carrying out the ban while litigation continues.

Opinions from the Judiciary

In her judgment, Judge Reyes highlighted the sacrifices made by countless transgender servicemembers, emphasizing the irony that those who fought for equal protection rights would be denied such rights themselves.

Wider Effects on Educational Institutions

In addition to military-specific policies, the Trump administration’s emphasis on DEI initiatives has extended to educational settings. In January, another executive order was signed to prohibit DEI content in K–12 schools receiving federal funding. Initially exempt from this order, military service academies later received directives from the Pentagon requiring the removal of DEI-related materials from their libraries.

This directive has seen nearly 400 books removed from the Naval Academy’s library, including significant works such as “How to Be Anti-Racist” and “Our Time is Now” by Ibram X. Kendi and Stacey Abrams, respectively.

Federal Judges’ Stance on DEI Policies

As the Trump administration continues its push against DEI policies, federal judges have intervened, highlighting the legal complexities and potential repercussions involved. Hegseth reiterated the administration’s commitment to eliminating DEI initiatives from the Department of Defense, referring to the President’s guidance as “clear” and calling for immediate compliance.