Restoring America's Fighting Force Executive Order #14185 Date Issued: January 27, 2025 Topic: Civil Rights
WHAT DOES THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER DO? This order eliminates all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Coast Guard, prohibiting the use of race- and sex-based preferences in hiring, promotions, training, and decision-making. The order directs the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to dismantle DEI-related initiatives, conduct a comprehensive review of past DEI actions, and ensure military institutions, including service academies, do not teach or promote DEI-related concepts, "divisive theories," or "gender ideology." The order frames these changes as necessary to uphold meritocracy, unit cohesion, and military effectiveness while asserting that DEI initiatives have eroded these principles by fostering discrimination based on race and sex. The order explicitly bans military educational institutions from teaching that America’s founding documents are racist or sexist, requires a review of leadership and curriculum at defense-related schools, and establishes deadlines for implementing and reporting compliance. It mandates immediate action to remove DEI offices, a 90-day review of DEI-related actions within the military, and a 180-day progress report on full implementation.
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