US military ordered to pull books on diversity, gender issues
Since taking office in January, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has eliminated diversity initiatives at the Pentagon, ended commemorations of identity month celebrations like Black History Month, and removed some books from the Naval Academy, including the memoir of celebrated Black author Maya Angelou.
In a new memo, the Pentagon said that educational materials "promoting divisive concepts and gender ideology are incompatible with the Department's core mission."
It said the military would identify and sequester any such material, and then dispose of it after a review process.
The memo said a temporary committee comprised of leaders, educators, and library professionals from across the military would identify the books and carry out the review.
In an attachment, the memo listed a number of terms to use to help in searching for books, including "diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)," "anti-racism," and "white privilege."
DEI programs seek to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and other traditionally underrepresented groups.
Civil rights advocates argue such programs, generally backed by Democrats, are needed to address longstanding inequities and structural racism. They have come under attack from conservatives, who say race- and gender-focused initiatives are inherently discriminatory and fail to prioritize merit.
In February, Hegseth chided past celebrations of the U.S. military's diversity in a broad address to Pentagon staff.
"I think the single dumbest phrase in military history is our diversity is our strength," Hegseth said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Joe Biden criticises Donald Trump in new speech
Joe Biden criticised President Trump's administration during a speech at the National Bar Association's Centennial Convention in Chicago. Biden accused President Trump of attempting to dismantle the Constitution and erase fairness, equality, and justice. He expressed concern over Congress's inaction and the Supreme Court 's rulings, stating the US is at a critical juncture. Biden was awarded the National Bar Association's highest honour, the C. Frances Stratford award, following his speech. His remarks came as federal judges, including Judge Esther Salas, called for political leaders to tone down rhetoric due to an increase in intimidation and death threats against the judiciary.
The Guardian
37 minutes ago
- The Guardian
'These are dark days' Biden warns in speech criticising Trump administration
Joe Biden has said 'these are dark days' in the US, and accused the Trump administration of 'doing its best to dismantle the constitution' with the help of the Republican-controlled Congress and the supreme court. 'We see the apparent glee of some of our politicians while watching immigrants who are in this country legally torn from the arms of their family, dragged away in handcuffs from the only home they've ever known,' the former president said
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
US trade war: The state of play as Trump signs order imposing new tariffs - but there are more delays
Donald Trump's trade war has been difficult to keep up with, to put it mildly. For all the threats and bluster of the US election campaign last year to the on-off implementation of trade tariffs - and more threats - since he returned to the White House in January, the president 's protectionist agenda has been haphazard. Trading partners, export-focused firms, customs agents and even his own trade team have had a lot on their plates as deadlines were imposed - and then retracted - and the tariff numbers tinkered. While the UK was the first country to secure a truce of sorts, described as a "deal", the vast majority of nations have failed to secure any agreement. Deal or no deal, no country is on better trading terms with the United States than it was when Trump 2.0 began. Here, we examine what nations and blocs are on the hook for, and the potential consequences, as Mr Trump's suspended "reciprocal" tariffs prepare to take effect. That will now not happen until 7 August. 2:49 Why was 1 August such an important date? To understand the present day, we must first wind the clock back to early April. Then, Mr Trump proudly showed off a board in the White House Rose Garden containing a list of countries and the tariffs they would immediately face in retaliation for the rates they impose on US-made goods. He called it "liberation day". The tariff numbers were big and financial markets took fright. Just days later, the president announced a 90-day pause in those rates for all countries except China, to allow for negotiations. The initial deadline of 9 July was then extended again to 1 August. Late on 31 July, Mr Trump signed the executive order but said that the tariff rates would not kick in for seven additional days to allow for the orders to be fully communicated. Since April, only eight countries or trading blocs have agreed "deals" to limit the reciprocal tariffs and - in some cases - sectoral tariffs already in place. Who has agreed a deal over the past 120 days? The UK, Japan, Indonesia, the European Union and South Korea are among the eight to be facing lower rates than had been threatened back in April. China has not really done a deal but it is no longer facing punitive tariffs above 100%. Its decision to retaliate against US levies prompted a truce level to be agreed between the pair, pending further talks. There's a backlash against the EU over its deal, with many national leaders accusing the European Commission of giving in too easily. A broad 15% rate is to apply, down from the threatened 30%, while the bloc has also committed to US investment and to pay for US-produced natural gas. 1:40 Where does the UK stand? We've already mentioned that the UK was the first to avert the worst of what was threatened. While a 10% baseline tariff covers the vast majority of the goods we send to the US, aerospace products are exempt. Our steel sector has not been subjected to Trump's 50% tariffs and has been facing down a 25% rate. The government announced on Thursday that it would not apply under the terms of a quota system. UK car exports were on a 25% rate until the end of June when the deal agreed in May took that down to 10% under a similar quota arrangement that exempts the first 100,000 cars from a levy. Who has not done a deal? Canada is among the big names facing a 35% baseline tariff rate. That is up from 25% and covers all goods not subject to a US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement that involves rules of origin. America is its biggest export market and it has long been in Trump's sights. Mexico, another country deeply ingrained in the US supply chain, is facing a 30% rate but has been given an extra 90 days to secure a deal. Brazil is facing a 50% rate. For India, it's 25%. What are the consequences? This is where it all gets a bit woolly - for good reasons. The trade war is unprecedented in scale, given the global nature of modern business. It takes time for official statistics to catch up, especially when tariff rates chop and change so much. Any duties on exports to the United States are a threat to company sales and economic growth alike - in both the US and the rest of the world. Many carmakers, for example, have refused to offer guidance on their outlooks for revenue and profits. Barriers to business are never good but the International Monetary Fund earlier this week raised its forecast for global economic growth this year from 2.8% to 3%. Some of that increase can be explained by the deals involving major economies, including Japan, the EU and UK. US growth figures have been skewed by the rush to beat import tariffs. There is an elephant in the room: inflation. Countries imposing duties on their imports force the recipient of those goods to foot the additional bill. Do the buyers swallow it or pass it on? The latest US data contained strong evidence that tariff charges are now making their way down the country's supply chains, threatening to squeeze American consumers in the months ahead. It's why the US central bank has been refusing demands from Mr Trump to cut interest rates. You don't slow the pace of price rises by making borrowing costs cheaper. A prolonged period of higher inflation would not go down well with US businesses or voters. It's why financial markets have followed a recent trend known as TACO, helping stock markets remain at record levels. The belief is that Trump always chickens out. He may have to back down if inflation takes off.
