Pentagon Orders Removal of Media Content Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Pentagon has ordered the removal of all media content promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) across its digital platforms, following President Donald Trump’s executive orders and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directives.

The mandate requires all military branches to delete and archive content linked to DEI, critical race theory, gender ideology, and identity-based programs by March 5, 2025.

The Defense Media Activity (DMA) will assist with the systematic removal of materials from platforms like the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) and the American Forces Public Information Management System (AFPIMS). However, individual military branches remain responsible for ensuring compliance across all official websites and social media accounts. A public acknowledgment of the content purge is required across platforms, and requests for deadline extensions must be submitted before noon on March 5, 2025.

This move is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to eliminate what it calls “wokeism” from the U.S. military. Since returning to office, Trump has intensified his executive control over the Department of Defense (DoD), swiftly removing senior military leaders associated with diversity initiatives.

High-profile firings target military leaders supporting DEI

A week before the content removal order, Trump abruptly dismissed Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown, a decorated fighter pilot and the first Black officer to lead any U.S. military branch. Brown had publicly supported Black Lives Matter following the 2020 police killing of George Floyd. His advocacy for diversity in military leadership had previously made him a target of Trump’s criticism.

In a social media post, Trump “thanked” Brown for his more than 40 years of service. Defense Secretary Hegseth later confirmed that Brown’s removal was part of a broader effort to reshape military leadership and remove those seen as advancing DEI policies.

In the same announcement, Hegseth also revealed the dismissal of two other senior officers: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Jim Slife.

Franchetti, a surface warfare officer with multiple deployments, was the second woman to achieve the rank of four-star admiral. Her firing comes just months after Trump dismissed Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, making Franchetti the second female military leader removed under the administration.

Slife, who previously led the Air Force Special Operations Command, had served in senior roles focused on modernization and operational readiness. Both Franchetti and Slife were perceived as supporting DEI programs within the military.

New policy targets transgender service members

The content removal order is accompanied by a new Pentagon policy requiring the discharge of transgender service members unless they secure a waiver. According to a January executive order signed by Trump, transgender personnel must be identified within 30 days and discharged the following month if they cannot meet the new criteria.

To qualify for a waiver, service members must demonstrate that they have never pursued gender transition and must show 36 months of stability in their biological sex without "clinically significant distress or impairment." The policy also prohibits the use of Defense Department funds for gender transition-related medical care, including hormone therapy and surgical procedures.

The new regulations have sparked legal challenges. A case brought by advocacy groups is currently under review by a federal court led by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes. Further hearings are scheduled for next month, with plaintiffs arguing that the policy violates the constitutional rights of transgender service members.