The Arlington National Cemetery has seemingly removed information and educational materials highlighting the contributions of Black, Hispanic, and women service members from its website.
The removals, first reported by Civil War historian Kevin M Levin on his Substack and BBC, are reportedly part of a broader effort linked to President Donald Trump’s call to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies and the military.
As a result, internal links directing users to content about notable veterans—including General Colin Powell and the Tuskegee Airmen—have been removed.
Additionally, short biographies of notable Black, Hispanic, and female veterans, such as former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the first unit of Black women to serve overseas in World War II—are no longer accessible on the website.
In response to backlash over the abrupt removal of content, a spokesperson for Arlington National Cemetery told The Washington Post:
“We are proud of our educational content and programming and working diligently to return removed content to ensure alignment with Department of Defense instruction 5400.17 and Executive Orders issued by the President,” they said.
“We remain committed to sharing the stories of military service and sacrifice to the nation with transparency and professionalism, while continuing to engage with our community in a manner that reflects our core values.”
Established after the Civil War at General Robert E. Lee’s former estate, Arlington National Cemetery houses the gravesites of approximately 400,000 service members.
This isn’t the first time Arlington National Cemetery’s website has had content about the contributions of women and minorities removed.
Earlier this year, the Defense Department reinstated information about the Tuskegee Airmen after it was taken down from the site.
Raul “Danny” Vargas, founder of the American Latino Veterans Association, criticized the decision to revise the website.
“While I understand that the administration has decided to shy away from DEI programs and initiatives, we cannot shy away from our nation’s military history,” Vargas said in a statement.
“It is vital that all Americans learn that Hispanics and Latinos have been instrumental in the founding, the building, the shaping, and the defending of this nation for over 500 years.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon deferred a request for comment on the Arlington National Cemetery website changes to the Army. Cynthia Smith, a spokesperson for the branch, stated that the Army had nothing to add to Arlington’s statement.
