Elimination of DEI Offices & Initiatives Across Defense Department

On January 29, 2025, Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum titled "Restoring America's Fighting Force," directing the establishment of a task force to terminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, positions, initiatives, contracts, and programs across the department (pursuant to Executive Order 14,185). Implementation actions included eliminating DEI offices in every military department and defense agency, and banning the use of race, sex, or ethnicity-based goals in promotion, command selection, or academic admissions. On May 22, 2025, the department announced that the task force had successfully eliminated DEI programs and initiatives throughout DOD. The changes affected both uniformed and civilian personnel.