The U.S. Naval Academy has removed nearly 400 books that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from its library.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Navy confirmed to The Hill that the Academy removed the nearly 400 books from the Nimitz Library collection \u201cin order to ensure compliance with all directives outlined in Executive Orders issued by the President.\u201d<\/p>\n
The library, according to the spokesperson, has roughly 590,000 print books, 322 databases and over 5,000 print journals and magazines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Naval Academy\u2019s mission is to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically in order to cultivate honorable leaders, create a culture of excellence, and prepare them for careers of service to our country,\u201d the spokesperson told The Hill.<\/p>\n
The step is the latest in the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to eliminate DEI policies, programs, social media postings and curriculum in federal agencies and schools.<\/p>\n
Officials for the Annapolis, Md., school were instructed to review the library late last week, though it is unclear if the directive came directly from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth arrived for a visit Tuesday, though officials said the visit was unconnected to the purge, The Associated Press reported.<\/p>\n
About 900 books were initially identified in the sweep, before the nearly 400 were removed. A list of the books has not yet been made available.<\/p>\n