President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on Monday abolishing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the U.S. Armed Forces.
The order, titled Restoring Meritocracy and Neutrality in the Armed Forces, aims to eliminate race- and sex-based preferences and refocus the military on meritocracy and readiness. The move reflects Trump’s broader agenda to reorient federal institutions and policies.
In a statement accompanying the order, President Trump declared, “No individual or group within our Armed Forces should be preferred or disadvantaged based on sex, race, ethnicity, color, or creed. We are restoring merit, cohesion, and strength to our military.”
RELATED: BREAKING: Trump Issues Executive Order On Military Standards, Banning Trans Service Members
The executive order lays out significant changes to the military’s internal policies:
- Abolishment of DEI Offices: The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security are directed to dismantle all DEI offices and initiatives within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). The order describes these programs as fostering “unconstitutional discrimination” and promoting “divisive concepts.”
- Prohibition of Divisive Theories: The military and its associated educational institutions are barred from promoting or teaching theories that label America’s founding documents as racist or sexist or that advance concepts of race and sex stereotyping.
- Internal Review and Reporting: The Secretary of Defense is required to conduct a 90-day review documenting all past DEI-related initiatives, including instances of race or sex discrimination.
- Curriculum Overhaul: Military academies and defense education institutions must realign their curricula to emphasize that America’s founding documents are a “powerful force for good in human history.”
- Implementation Timeline: The order mandates detailed guidance for implementation within 30 days and progress reports within 180 days.
The executive order asserts that DEI programs undermine leadership, unit cohesion, and readiness. It describes such initiatives as incompatible with the military’s primary mission of ensuring national security. “Our Armed Forces must operate free from any preference based on race or sex,” the order states, emphasizing a return to a merit-based system.
READ: ICE Nabs Illegal Migrant Who Beat Pregnant Wife To Death In Front Of 5-Year-Old Son
The order has drawn sharp criticism from advocates for diversity and inclusion, who argue that DEI initiatives are critical to fostering an equitable and inclusive military environment. Critics have labeled the move as regressive and counterproductive to addressing systemic inequities within the Armed Forces.
The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security are tasked with overseeing the implementation of the order across all branches of the military and related agencies. The directive emphasizes accountability in aligning leadership and resources with the administration’s vision of meritocracy and military readiness.
This executive order is part of a broader series of measures by the Trump administration aimed at overhauling federal policies and agencies. Previous executive actions have targeted DEI practices in education, healthcare, and federal hiring. While critics argue that these moves could have long-term consequences for representation and equity, supporters see them as essential to curbing “identity politics” and restoring traditional principles.
READ: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Rips State Legislature Over Weakened Immigration Bill
Legal challenges from civil rights organizations are expected, with debates likely to focus on the order’s impact on military culture and national security. As the administration begins implementation, it has made clear that this action is part of a broader commitment to reshaping federal institutions in line with its priorities.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.