Naval Academy ends race-based admissions policy following executive order
- The U.S. Naval Academy has changed its admissions policy to exclude considerations of race, ethnicity, or sex.
- This adjustment follows an executive order by President Donald Trump and responses to various investigations into university compliance with new regulations.
- The shift reflects a larger trend in the U.S. to reevaluate affirmative action policies and merit-based admissions.
In 2025, the U.S. Naval Academy announced that neither race, ethnicity, nor sex would be considered in its admissions process. This decision was a direct response to an executive order from President Donald Trump issued in January, which mandated that all elements of the Armed Forces operate free from preferences based on race or sex. The order also required an internal review of activities that promoted such preferences, including at service academies. The revision to admission policy was put into effect by Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, the superintendent of the Naval Academy, following court documents released in March. The academy had previously faced legal challenges regarding its admissions practices. Specifically, it had considered race in its admission decisions but was under scrutiny for this practice. In December 2024, a federal judge had ruled that the academy could continue to consider race because of the military's unique needs for cohesion and representation. However, after the executive order and renewed focus on compliance, the Naval Academy shifted its position to align with the new directive. The implications of this change extend beyond just the Naval Academy. It is an indicator of a broader shift in U.S. policy towards affirmative action. The Department of Justice has also indicated it will investigate other institutions, particularly in California, to ensure compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that prohibited race-based affirmative action in college admissions. This significant ruling has reverberated throughout higher education, complicating the admissions landscape and raising concerns about equity and opportunity for historically marginalized groups. This development at the Naval Academy follows an ongoing conversation in the United States regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in educational institutions. Critics argue that the elimination of affirmative action policy might disadvantage minorities, while supporters believe it will lead to a more merit-based system. Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed the commitment of the current administration to end practices deemed discriminatory and restore merit-based opportunity, emphasizing the belief that all students should be evaluated based solely on their qualifications rather than their racial background.