Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Merit-Only Admissions, DEI Removal, Naval Academy Book Culling Amid Controversies

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has directed that admissions to U.S. military academies be based solely on merit, eliminating considerations of race and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This move follows a Pentagon order to remove DEI and anti-racism materials from academy libraries, including a controversial culling of hundreds of books at the U.S. Naval Academy to comply with a Trump administration directive. Hegseth's tenure as defense secretary has been marked by controversy, including allegations that he plagiarized portions of his senior thesis. Additionally, Hegseth expressed approval of the resignation of West Point professor Graham Parsons amid these changes.