U.S. Naval Academy Reviews School Clubs for Compliance with Executive Orders on DEI
February 10, 2025
The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is currently reviewing its school-sponsored clubs and activities to ensure compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive orders prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within federal institutions, according to reports.
Since returning to office, President Trump has issued several executive orders aimed at restoring merit-based policies within the military and federal agencies. These directives mandate the elimination of DEI-related positions and initiatives that consider characteristics such as race or gender over merit-based qualifications.
Review of School Clubs Underway
A spokesperson for the Naval Academy confirmed that the institution is actively assessing its clubs and extracurricular activities to align with federal directives. "We are reviewing all clubs and extracurricular activities to ensure alignment with applicable Executive Orders and will provide updated implementation guidance as needed," the representative stated.
Currently, the Naval Academy offers several identity-based clubs, including the Midshipmen Black Studies Club, Society of Women Engineers, and the Italian-American Midshipmen Club. As of now, no clubs have been disbanded.
The review follows a similar move by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which recently disbanded approximately a dozen identity-based clubs as part of compliance with the president’s DEI policies. Organizations affected at West Point included the Society of Black Engineers, the Asian-Pacific Forum Club, and the pro-LGBT group Spectrum.
Administrative Actions and Legal Challenges
A memorandum from Naval Academy Superintendent Yvette Davids, reported by Fox News, indicated that the institution is taking steps to dismantle any DEI-related offices or contracts. However, the Naval Academy clarified that it has not had a DEI office since at least mid-2024, meaning no specific office closures have resulted from the recent executive order.
Additionally, the Naval Academy has faced legal scrutiny over its admissions policies. In October 2023, the organization Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) filed a lawsuit alleging that the academy engaged in racial balancing, which they argue violates the Fifth Amendment. The lawsuit claimed that the school favored Black, Hispanic, and Native American applicants over white and Asian candidates.
While the Supreme Court previously ruled against race-based admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, the decision did not extend to military academies. A federal judge dismissed SFFA’s lawsuit against the Naval Academy in December 2024, prompting an appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Broader Military Policy Shifts
These developments coincide with President Trump’s broader efforts to reshape military leadership and policy. On Monday, Trump announced via Truth Social that he had ordered the dismissal of the Board of Visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. He cited concerns that military academies had been influenced by “woke leftist ideologues” in recent years and pledged to appoint new board members committed to strengthening the armed forces.
“We must make the Military Academies GREAT AGAIN!” Trump stated.
The ongoing changes reflect a larger policy shift within the administration to prioritize merit-based advancement and reduce identity-based considerations in military education and operations.