Arlington National Cemetery has come under fire for stripping its website of vital information regarding the contributions of black and female service members. According to military news source Task & Purpose, the site has eliminated educational content that highlighted the heroic stories of veterans who received the Medal of Honor and others who made significant impacts in U.S. military history.
This content purge appears to be part of a broader initiative led by President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the military and across federal agencies. The cemetery, which serves as the final resting place for approximately 400,000 veterans, has seen internal links disappear that directed users to pages detailing the achievements and legacies of notable veterans such as Gen. Colin Powell, the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the distinguished Tuskegee Airmen.
Visitors attempting to explore African American or Women's History sections on the website will find those pages gone, alongside critical biographies of figures like Hector Santa Anna, a decorated World War II bomber pilot. Although some information on prominent women, like former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, still exists, it can only be accessed through direct searches.
A spokesperson for Arlington Cemetery explained that the content removal was to align with Trump's orders and directives from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth but asserted the cemetery's commitment to sharing the nation's military stories. Representative Adam Smith, a leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed deep concern over the decision, emphasizing the importance of military diversity.
President Trump has undertaken sweeping changes in the military during his second term, including dismissals of leaders who have advocated for diversity within the armed forces. According to the latest Defense Department reports, the active-duty military comprises 2.03 million service members, with nearly one-third identifying as part of minority groups and one-fifth being women.
