Arlington National Cemetery Removes Content Highlighting Black and Female Veterans from Website
Arlington National Cemetery has removed educational materials and historical content about black and female service members from its official website. This includes information about veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military recognition, as reported by military news outlet Task & Purpose.
The decision to take down this content aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the federal government and military. Arlington National Cemetery, which is managed by the Army and is the final resting place for approximately 400,000 veterans, was established after the U.S. Civil War on the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Missing Content and Broken Links
Visitors to the cemetery’s website noticed that internal links to pages dedicated to “Notable Graves” of black, Hispanic, and female veterans were no longer accessible. These pages featured biographies of distinguished service members, including General Colin L. Powell, the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the country’s first Black military aviators.
Additionally, information about Hector Santa Anna, a World War II bomber pilot and celebrated war hero, was also removed. Major sections of the website, such as African American History, Hispanic American History, and Women’s History, are no longer listed, making it difficult for visitors to find relevant content.
While some content remains accessible through direct searches—such as details about former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the 14 veterans from the Six Triple Eight unit featured in an Oscar-nominated film—the overall removal has sparked widespread concern.
Backlash and Reinstatement Efforts
Earlier this year, the Defense Department faced national backlash after removing training materials about the Tuskegee Airmen, which were later reinstated following public outcry. A spokesperson for Arlington National Cemetery stated that they are working to restore the missing links and content, emphasizing their commitment to honoring the stories of military service and sacrifice. However, they also noted that the content must align with President Trump’s executive orders and directives from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Political and Military Reactions
Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, criticized the removal of the content, calling it “deeply concerning.” He argued that even if there are debates about DEI practices, the military has historically benefited from diversity and inclusion efforts.
Since returning to the White House, President Trump has implemented significant changes in the military, including the dismissal of General CQ Brown, the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had advocated for diversity in the armed forces. Secretary Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, has pledged to eliminate all diversity initiatives, accusing General Brown of promoting “woke” policies.
Diversity in the U.S. Military
According to the latest Defense Department report, 2.03 million people serve in the U.S. military, either on active duty or in reserves. Among them, 30% identify as part of a minority group (such as Black or Native American), 18% as Hispanic or Latino, and 20% as women. The removal of content honoring these groups has raised questions about the future of diversity and inclusion in the armed forces.
