Pentagon Restores Jackie Robinson Webpage After Public Outcry

The Defense Department reversed its removal of a page honoring Robinson’s military service, calling it an error, while defending the broader DEI content purge.

The Department of Defense removed and later restored a webpage detailing Jackie Robinson's military service during World War II, initially citing an executive order targeting DEI initiatives.
Pentagon officials labeled the removal of Robinson’s page as a mistake but defended the overall effort to eliminate DEI-related content from federal platforms.
The removal drew sharp criticism from civil rights advocates and public figures, with many accusing the Pentagon of erasing significant historical narratives.
The DEI purge has also targeted content about other minority and female military figures, including the Tuskegee Airmen and Navajo Code Talkers.
Pentagon representatives reiterated their stance that DEI initiatives undermine unit cohesion and the military's warfighting mission, a claim that remains contentious.