Just as Jeff Passan compelled the Trump administration to reverse its decision on removing a Jackie Robinson article from the Pentagon website, the DEI police are making waves once again. This time, however, the administration has targeted Robinson’s legacy once more, following the earlier removal of the article detailing his military service. Backlash from figures like Clinton Yates and Mina Kimes, along with considerable public pressure from Passan, quickly forced a reversal.
Less than an hour after Passan shared a statement from then-Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot defending the removal, the article was restored online. Ullyot has since been reassigned, but the issue does not end there. A biography of Robinson is now flagged for removal from the Nimitz Library at the U.S. Naval Academy following an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to The New York Times, this directive instructs the Academy to identify and eliminate books with diversity, equity, and inclusion themes from its collection.
Coincidentally, Hegseth is reportedly scheduled to visit the Naval Academy this Tuesday. The Robinson biography is among 900 books flagged under the new policy, alongside other noteworthy titles such as “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.” and “Einstein on Race and Racism.” The Naval Academy’s response to NYT did little to assuage concerns about the removal of Robinson’s biography. “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,” stated Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesman. “The Navy is carrying out these actions with utmost professionalism, efficiency, and in alignment with national security objectives.”
It appears the endeavor to erase Jackie Robinson’s legacy is far from over. Following the Pentagon’s reversal, the Naval Academy’s move to reportedly pull his biography underscores the ongoing struggle over how Robinson’s legacy will be remembered.
