DOD Forces Removal of Books from Military Base Primary/Secondary School Libraries

Submitted by Emily Arendt

May 2, 2025

At a time when the Trump Administration is quickly altering public interpretations of history and removing references to the past on websites and public spaces, it is vital that historians keep track of what is changing. The Early Republic Tracker is dedicated to documenting instances where the federal government is removing facts and stories essential to the public’s understanding American history from public historical sites, museums, websites, and executive agencies.

Where/When did the changes take place?

Schools such as Fort Campbell’s Barsanti Elementary. In February, at least 161 administrators and school employees at various schools on military bases received a letter from the Department of Defense Education Activity calling for the removal of all books and materials deemed to promote “discriminatory equity ideology.”

What changed?

The net result of this order is to eliminate materials related to Black history–including history books mentioning slavery and civil rights. Additionally, the document bans the celebration of “monthly cultural observances,” forcing educators to remove references to Black History Month (and prominent Black historical figures like Harriet Tubman) from bulletin boards.

Why does the change matter?

Removing material on African American history (and potentially Asian American and Pacific Islander history as well as Native American history) from primary and secondary schools will prevent students from having access to historical narratives that embrace the full and diverse scope of the American past.

Website/location/document where change was made?