Arlington Cemetery eliminates minority veteran history due to Trump administration policies

In recent months, Arlington National Cemetery in the United States has undertaken a significant removal of content from its website pertaining to notable Black, Hispanic, and female veterans. This purge aligns with directives from the Trump administration aimed at erasing references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in government and military contexts. The changes come in the wake of an executive order by President Donald Trump that prohibits federal agencies from promoting DEI initiatives. Officials associated with the Cemetery confirmed that various specific pages were 'unpublished' as part of a broader compliance effort with Department of Defense policies following this order. The adjustments to the Cemetery's website include the elimination of certain historical educational materials, which encompassed sections dedicated to African American history, Hispanic American history, and women’s contributions to the military. The previous structure of the site featured prominent educational links and resources, but these have now been restructured or removed entirely. Some of the resources that were part of the Cemetery’s educational programming for schools, including lesson plans covering Women's History and Medal of Honor recipients, have also vanished from view. Critics of this policy alteration have highlighted the cultural implications of stripping away these vital histories. For instance, Democratic representatives and veteran advocacy groups have expressed outrage over what they describe as a “whitewashing” of history and an affront to those veterans who have served and sacrificed, particularly from marginalized communities. Public response has also included accusations that the Trump administration’s policies contribute to a narrative that undermines the contributions of diverse groups within military history. Despite the removal of numerous pages, some information about notable veterans remains accessible through search functions. However, direct links that previously facilitated easy access to this information are no longer available on the main site. An Army spokesperson has indicated that they are endeavoring to restore some of the removed content but did not provide specific timelines for when this might occur. The broader context of this initiative is rooted in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's condemnation of DEI principles, which he has characterized as detrimental to the military’s core values, thus stirring significant public discourse about the role of history and accountability in commemorating military service across diverse demographics.