RestoringAmerica'sFightingForce
DateIssued:January27,2025
Topic:CivilRights
WHATDOESTHISEXECUTIVEORDERDO?
Thisordereliminatesalldiversity,equity,andinclusion(DEI)officesand programswithintheDepartmentofDefense(DoD)andtheU.S.Coast Guard,prohibitingtheuseofrace-andsex-basedpreferencesinhiring, promotions,training,anddecision-making.
TheorderdirectstheSecretariesofDefenseandHomelandSecurityto dismantleDEI-relatedinitiatives,conductacomprehensivereviewof pastDEIactions,andensuremilitaryinstitutions,includingservice academies,donotteachorpromoteDEI-relatedconcepts,"divisive theories,"or"genderideology."Theorderframesthesechangesas necessarytoupholdmeritocracy,unitcohesion,andmilitary effectivenesswhileassertingthatDEIinitiativeshaveerodedthese principlesbyfosteringdiscriminationbasedonraceandsex.
Theorderexplicitlybansmilitaryeducationalinstitutionsfromteaching thatAmerica’sfoundingdocumentsareracistorsexist,requiresareview ofleadershipandcurriculumatdefense-relatedschools,and establishesdeadlinesforimplementingandreportingcompliance.It mandatesimmediateactiontoremoveDEIoffices,a90-dayreviewof DEI-relatedactionswithinthemilitary,anda180-dayprogressreporton fullimplementation.
Theenforcementofthisorderisstructuredthroughaseriesofmandates anddeadlinesfortheDoDandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity (DHS).TheTrumpadministrationoutlinesimmediateandlong-term measurestoeliminateDEIinitiativeswithinthemilitary.
ImmediateactionsincludedismantlingDEIofficesacrosstheDoDand CoastGuardandprohibitingDEI-relatedteachingsinmilitaryeducation. Within30days,theSecretariesofDefenseandHomelandSecuritymust issuedetailedguidelinesforimplementation.Within90days,afullreview ofpastDEIactionsandpoliciesmustbecompleted,withareportonraceorsex-basedhiringandtrainingpractices.By180days,aprogressreport onimplementationisrequired.
OngoingmeasuresincludebanningDEI-relatedhires,reviewingmilitary curriculaandleadershipforcompliance,andreinforcinganeducational focusonAmerica’sfoundingprinciples.Monitoringwillbeconducted throughperiodicreporting,withpotentialforfurtherexecutiveor legislativeaction.
HOWDOESTHISIMPACTBLACKCOMMUNITIES?
TheimpactofthisorderonBlackcommunities,particularlyBlackservice membersandthoseaspiringtomilitarycareers,willlikelybeprofound, touchingonissuesofrepresentation,careeradvancement,andinstitutional culturewithintheArmedForces.DEIprogramshavehistoricallybeenusedto addressunderrepresentation,unconsciousbias,andsystemicbarriersthat affectrecruitment,promotions,andleadershipopportunitiesforBlack servicemembers.Theeliminationoftheseinitiativesmayhindereffortsto ensureequitableaccesstomilitarycareersandleadershiproles.ManyDEI initiativesinthemilitaryweredesignedtoimprovepathwaysforhistorically underrepresentedgroups,includingBlackservicemembers,intoleadership positions.Withouttheseprograms,disparitiesinpromotionsmaypersistor worsen,potentiallyaffectinglong-termcareerprogression.
TheremovalofDEIprogramscouldalterrecruitmentstrategiesthathave historicallyencouragedmorediverseapplicantpools.Thiscouldresultina lowerrepresentationofBlackAmericansinspecializedmilitaryrolesand leadershippipelines.Militaryeducationalinstitutions,includingservice academies,willbeprohibitedfromteachingaboutsystemicracism,gender bias,ortheideathatAmerica’sfoundingdocumentswereshapedbyracial injustice.Thiscouldaffecthowrace-relatedhistoricalandleadershiptopics areaddressedinmilitaryeducation.WithoutDEIofficestohandle discriminationcomplaints,concernsaboutracialbias,workplace discrimination,andcareeradvancementbarriersmaylackinstitutional support,potentiallydiscouragingBlackservicemembersfromreportingor addressingtheseissues.
Themilitaryhaslongprovidedapathtoeconomicstabilityandupward mobilityforBlackAmericans,offeringbenefitssuchastuitionassistance, homeloans,andretirementsecurity.IftheremovalofDEIprogramsleadsto reducedrepresentationorincreasedbarriersinthemilitary,itmayindirectly impacteconomicopportunitiesforBlackcommunities.
Historically,themilitaryhasbeenattheforefrontofmajorcivilrights advancements,suchasthedesegregationofthearmedforcesin1948.This executiveordermarksasharpdeparturefromthattradition,raising concernsaboutthemilitary’sroleinpromotingbroadersocialequity movingforward.Whiletheexecutiveorderframesitsactionsasawayto reinforcemeritocracy,criticsarguethatsystemicbarriersstillexistthatDEI programsweredesignedtoaddress.TheextenttowhichtheremovalofDEI initiativesimpactsthecareerprospectsofBlackservicememberswill dependonwhethernew,alternativestrategiesemergetoensureequitable accesstoopportunities.
HOWARECBCMEMBERSRESPONDING?
CongressionalBlackCaucus(CBC)Membersarecommittedtodiversity inallsectors,includingtheArmedForces.OnFebruary25,2025,Rep. MarilynStrickland,SecretaryoftheCBC,reintroducedtheEQUITY(Equal andUniformTreatmentintheMilitary)Act,andreleasedthefollowing statement:“Adiversemilitaryisastrongmilitary,andaddressingour recruitmentandretentionchallengesisvitaltoshoringupournational securityandensuringreadiness.Anypersonwhoisqualifiedtoserveour countryshouldbeabletodosowithoutfacingdiscrimination.”Full Statement
SeveralCBCMembersco-sponsoredthislegislation,includingRep.Terri A.Sewell,ChairoftheCBCFBoardofDirectors,andRep.StevenHorsford, immediatepastCBCChair.