Armorers and other ground personnel undergo training at Chanute Field, Ill., during World War II (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
The Department of Defense has flagged over 26,000 images for removal across all military branches as part of an effort to eliminate content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI. However, the final number could be much higher, with estimates suggesting as many as 100,000 images or posts may ultimately be deleted. This large-scale removal follows an executive order from President Donald Trump, directing the elimination of DEI programs across the federal government.
Among the flagged content are references to a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, the Enola Gay aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and the first women to complete Marine Corps infantry training. Additionally, images recognizing contributions from women and minority Service Members, as well as commemorative months for Black, Hispanic, and female personnel, are included in the purge.
An indigenous dancer and Air Force colonel greet during a National American Indian Heritage Month event, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. (Photo: US Air Force Senior Airman Victoria Nuzzi)
Confusion has arisen over what content qualifies for removal. Some images were flagged because their filenames contain the word “gay,” including references to Service Members with that last name and the Enola Gay B-29 aircraft. Other flagged images include an Army Corps of Engineers dredging project in California and biologists documenting fish data, likely due to mentions of species’ gender.
The B-29 Enola Gay aircraft dropped the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, 1945 (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
Photos of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military pilots who served in a segregated unit during World War II, were also included. However, due to their historical significance, these images may be protected from deletion. The Air Force briefly removed training videos featuring the Tuskegee Airmen following Trump’s directive, but after criticism from the White House over “malicious compliance,” the decision was reversed.
Many flagged images have already been removed, while others remain accessible. It is unclear whether these remaining images will be deleted or allowed to stay. The Pentagon has not confirmed whether the database of flagged images is final or subject to further review.
Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot stated that the department is satisfied with the rapid compliance across military branches. He emphasized that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth believes DEI programs undermine camaraderie and mission execution. Hegseth has publicly declared that “DEI is dead.”
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the US Army Medical Center of Excellence Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center in San Antonio, 2021 (Photo: Jose Rodriguez).
Some removals have been partial, with only main pages of articles being taken down while some associated images remain online. An article titled “Women’s History Month: All-female crew supports warfighters” was deleted, but some images of the featured C-17 crew were still accessible. Other figures whose images were flagged include Col. Jeannie Leavitt, the first female fighter pilot, and Pfc. Christina Fuentes Montenegro, one of the first three women to graduate from Marine Corps infantry training.
Christina Fuentes Montenegro hikes to her platoon’s defensive position during Infantry Training, 2013 (Photo: U.S. Marines)
The Marine Corps has confirmed that every flagged image in its database “either has been taken down or will be taken down.” Due to limited personnel, the process is ongoing. Social media pages associated with military bases and units also face scrutiny, with many flagged posts yet to be addressed due to a lack of administrative access.
The Pentagon’s directive, issued on February 26, required military branches to review website content, news articles, and multimedia to identify and remove DEI-related material. If full compliance was not feasible by the deadline, services were instructed to temporarily remove all content published during the Biden administration.
While some argue that eliminating DEI-related content aligns with the new policy, others worry that valuable historical records and recognition of diverse Service Members are being lost in the process. With thousands of images already deleted and more potentially at risk, the military’s handling of this directive will likely continue to draw scrutiny in the months ahead.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.