Books on the Holocaust, histories of feminism, civil rights and racism, and Maya Angelou's autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," were among the nearly 400 volumes removed from the U.S. Naval Academy's library this week after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office ordered the school to remove those that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Navy late Friday provided the list of 391 books that have been taken out of its library in Annapolis, Maryland. The move marks another step in the Trump administration's effort to purge DEI content from federal agencies, including policies, programs, online and social media postings and curriculum at schools.
In addition to Angelou's award-winning tome, the list includes "Memorializing the Holocaust," which deals with Holocaust memorials; "Half American," about Black soldiers in World War II; "A Respectable Woman," about the public roles of Black women in 19th century New York; and "Pursuing Trayvon Martin," about the 2012 shooting of the 17-year-old in Florida that led to the acquittal of George Zimmerman..
Other books removed dealt with gender identity, sexuality and transgender issues. A wide array of books on race and gender that dealt with such topics as Black women poets, entertainers who wore blackface and the treatment of women in Islamic countries also were removed.
Also on the list were historical books on racism, the Ku Klux Klan and the treatment of women, gender and race in art and literature.
In a statement, the Navy said officials went through the Nimitz Library catalog, using keyword searches, to identify books that required further review. About 900 books were identified in the search.
"Departmental officials then closely examined the preliminary list to determine which books required removal," said Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesman. "Nearly 400 books were removed from Nimitz Library to comply with directives outlined in Executive Orders issued by the President."
The books were removed shortly before Hegseth arrived Tuesday for a visit to the academy, which had been planned and was not connected to the library's actions, officials said.
The Pentagon has said the academies are "fully committed to executing and implementing President Trump's Executive Orders."
The Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, had not been included in President Donald Trump's executive order in January that banned DEI instruction, programs or curriculum in kindergarten through 12th grade schools that receive federal funding. That is because the academies are colleges.
Pentagon leaders, however, turned their attention to the Naval Academy last week when a media report noted that the school had not removed books promoting DEI.
A U.S. official said the academy was told late last week to conduct the review and removal. It isn't known if the order was directed by Hegseth or someone else on his staff.
A West Point official confirmed earlier this week that the school had completed a review of its curriculum and was prepared to review library content if directed by the Army. The Air Force and Naval academies had also done curriculum reviews as had been required.
An Air Force Academy official said the school continually reviews its curriculum, coursework and other materials to ensure it all complies with executive orders and Defense Department policies.
Last week, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the Air Force Academy superintendent, told Congress that the school was in the middle of its course review, but there was no mention of books.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss academy policies.
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