The U.S. Naval Academy faces backlash over reports of flagging a Jackie Robinson biography for potential removal. This decision follows a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He instructed military institutions to review and remove books focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) themes.
According to The New York Times, Robinson’s biography is one of 900 titles under scrutiny, alongside The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. and Einstein on Race and Racism. The policy shift has sparked concerns about erasing critical historical narratives from military education.
Renewed Battle Over Robinson’s Legacy
This isn’t the first time the government’s handling of Jackie Robinson’s legacy has stirred controversy. Previously, the Pentagon attempted to remove an article detailing Robinson’s military service from its website. Journalists, including ESPN’s Jeff Passan, sparked an outcry that forced a swift reversal, reinstating the article within hours. The Pentagon later reassigned John Ullyot, the official who initially defended the decision.
The Naval Academy’s latest move appears to be part of a broader ideological shift in how military institutions handle literature related to race and social justice. As Hegseth meets the Academy on Tuesday, speculation grows over whether his agenda is driving the book purge.
https://t.co/90FvFInTOp via @NYTimes
— Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) March 29, 2025
Among the books being removed from the Naval Academy’s library are “a biography on Jackie Robinson” and the autobiography of MLK.
Characterizing Jackie Robinson is an unqualified DEI hire is just about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesman, defended the review process and stated, “The U.S. Naval Academy is fully committed to executing and implementing all directives outlined in executive orders issued by the president and is currently reviewing the Nimitz Library collection to ensure compliance.” However, his statement failed to ease concerns that officials might remove books on prime figures in American history.
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Critics argue that targeting books like Robinson’s biography undermines efforts to preserve the full scope of American history within military institutions. As pressure mounts, the Naval Academy may soon find itself in a familiar position, facing public outrage and calls to reverse course, just as the Pentagon did not long ago.
Also Read: President Trump’s Administration Criticized For ‘Disgusting’ Jackie Robinson Decision
