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Trump to Eliminate DEI Initiatives and Reinstate Discharged Military Personnel
In a significant shift in US military policy, President Donald Trump is set to issue several executive orders aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Department of Defense. The expected announcement follows Trump’s campaign promise to dismantle these programs, and it signals a broader reevaluation of military training and policies within the armed forces.
According to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, additional executive orders are forthcoming, including one that will mandate officials to create a clear policy regarding the status of transgender troops. Another upcoming directive aims to reinstate military personnel who were discharged for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine during the ongoing pandemic.
The initiative to eliminate DEI programs is part of a more comprehensive agenda that the administration believes will remove what it views as discrimination based on race or sex from military and defense practices. An official from the White House confirmed that the new orders will prohibit any form of preferential treatment related to these factors across all branches of the military, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.
In addition to the removal of DEI programs, military officials are also tasked with reviewing educational materials used at military academies like the US Military Academy at West Point and the US Air Force Academy. This review will focus on identifying and removing materials that are perceived to promote “radical” DEI or gender ideologies.
Hegseth has been vocal about prioritizing military readiness and operational effectiveness over DEI initiatives. He noted that the primary responsibility of the armed forces is to ensure “legality and readiness and war fighting,” emphasizing that training should concentrate on what troops need to effectively confront military challenges.
In a related development, the US Air Force has begun to reassess its training content regarding the contributions of Black and female pilots during World War II, amid claims that previous curricula aligned with DEI principles under the former administration. However, military leaders have sought to clarify that certain essential training elements will remain intact.
The reinstatement of discharged personnel for vaccine refusals has been a point of contention. Approximately 8,000 military service members were let go due to their refusal to comply with Covid-19 vaccination mandates, and only a small fraction—43—were reinstated before the inauguration of Trump. During his inaugural speech, Trump described these discharges as “unjustly expelled,” advocating for their return to service.
Upon taking office, Trump mandated that all federal employees involved in DEI-related efforts be placed on administrative leave, offering them until the following evening to comply. His directive characterized these initiatives as “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral,” reflecting a profound shift in how the administration intends to approach diversity and training within the military.
This policy overhaul indicates a critical juncture for the US military, as it grapples with both historical narratives of inclusion and the current political landscape surrounding military readiness and operations.
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