Fact Check: 400 books were removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library under Trump's orders.

Fact Check: "400 books were removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library under Trump's orders."

What We Know

In early April 2025, the U.S. Naval Academy removed nearly 400 books from its library as part of a directive from the Trump administration aimed at eliminating materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from military educational institutions. This action was reportedly initiated after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's office informed the Naval Academy that the executive order banning DEI materials, initially aimed at K-12 education, would also apply to the academy, despite it being a college (AP News, New York Times).

The removed books included significant works such as Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," and various texts addressing topics of anti-racism, gender identity, and civil rights (Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed). Following a review process, most of these books were returned to the library, but approximately 20 remained under review (CBS News).

Analysis

The claim that 400 books were removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library under Trump's orders is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The directive to remove these books was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to align military educational content with its policies on DEI, which were perceived as controversial by some (New York Times, Washington Post).

The sources reporting on this event, including major news outlets like the Associated Press and the New York Times, are generally considered reliable. They provide detailed accounts of the circumstances surrounding the book removals, including the specific orders issued by Defense Secretary Hegseth's office and the types of materials that were targeted (AP News, Inside Higher Ed).

However, it is important to note that while the initial count of removed books was reported as 381, subsequent reports indicated that the total number was closer to 400, which aligns with the claim being fact-checked (Washington Post, WBAL TV). This discrepancy may arise from the evolving nature of the review process and the ongoing discussions about which materials should be permanently removed.

Conclusion

The claim that "400 books were removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library under Trump's orders" is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that the Naval Academy complied with directives from the Trump administration to remove a significant number of books related to DEI topics, with the total number of books removed being reported as nearly 400.

Fact Check: 400 books were removed from the U.S. Naval Academy library under Trump's orders.