U.S. Naval Academy Ends Race-Conscious Admissions Following Trump Executive Order

The academy's February policy change, disclosed in court filings, aligns with a January directive to eliminate race and sex preferences across the military.

The U.S. Naval Academy will no longer consider race, ethnicity, or sex in admissions, as confirmed by court filings made public on March 28, 2025.
This policy change, implemented in February by Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, follows a January 2025 executive order from President Trump mandating the removal of race- and sex-based preferences across the military.
The Department of Justice has requested a pause in ongoing litigation by Students for Fair Admissions to assess whether the case is now moot due to the policy shift.
Critics, including Maryland Rep. Sarah Elfreth, warn that the decision could harm military recruitment and retention by reducing diversity in leadership.
Supporters, such as Edward Blum of Students for Fair Admissions, argue the move eliminates discriminatory practices and aligns with broader legal trends against affirmative action.