MILITARY FAMILIES SUE OVER DODEA SCHOOL BOOK BANS & OTHER ANTI-DIVERSITY ACTIONS
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has been ordered to change its curriculum and to remove books from schools. Now, a dozen students and their families are suing the department after books were removed from libraries, yearbooks were censored, and class curriculums were altered to be more in alignment with Trump's DEI executive orders.
Is Trump Banning Books?
While proponents argue that Trump’s banned book list is a myth, many experts point to ongoing executive orders requiring the elimination of certain books and materials in educational systems tied to the federal government as proof that it’s real.
There are ways for students to access banned books and it’s conceivable that books banned from libraries may still be allowed among students, but not retrievable on campus.
Nevertheless, schools are already having restrictions confirmed by DoDEA Director of Communications Will Griffin, and local campuses issuing emails warning parents of possible disruptions.
Trump’s “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” and “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” EOs are forcing the DoDEA to review policies and resources already in place to make sure they meet the guidelines of the President.
Race, Gender, and Sexuality
Books and curricula facing potential bans from Trump are those dealing with the subjects of race, gender, and sexuality.
Learning materials that are not deemed suitable under the new regulations are labeled “do not use,” with students impacted from elementary through high school.
The results are already coming in as multiple learning materials are under review as of this writing, including a chapter on sexuality and gender in a high school textbook, lessons about Veteran Albert Cashier, a potentially trans warfighter, and content involving health for middle schoolers along with elementary school lessons involving immigration.
Furthermore, the book Becoming Nicole, a nonfiction account of a transgender activist, has also been banned from a reading list for students.
Not Just Libraries
While the Trump book ban list is censoring libraries, there are several other areas of education already feeling the effects of the EO.
Over 67,000 students fall under the DoDEA and lesson plans need revision, along with book selections, before certain materials become accessible again.
Still, this method is unclear. Schools will need to fall in line by February 18, 2025, and as of this writing, it’s unclear if materials found to be acceptable would be reinstated at all.
Military Families File a Lawsuit Against the DODEA
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations. The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 12 students who are in pre-K through 11th grade. The students are from 6 military families who attended schools on bases in Virginia, Kentucky, Italy, and Japan.
When asked about her thoughts on the executive orders, Natalia Tolley (a parent from one of the families involved in the lawsuit) explained, "The implementation of these EOs, without any due process or parental or professional input, is a violation of our children's right to access information that prevents them from learning about their own histories, bodies and identities."
A DoDEA spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit saying that, "as a matter of policy, the DoDEA does not comment on ongoing litigation."
In addition to the lawsuit, hundreds of DoDEA students have participated in walkouts despite the threat of punishment from school administrators and Pentagon officials. Military family members also protested when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited a base in Germany in February.
Why Is Trump Banning Books?
Trump’s growing book ban list isn’t just because his administration chose to censor learning materials, it’s part of a wider agenda to eliminate diversity, equality, and inclusion throughout the federal government.
Not only did Trump issue the EOs but the DoD followed suit with its own order, where each military branch sent out its own version of what needs to be done to ensure compliance.
Everything from the elimination of a dozen cadet clubs involving race, gender, and sexuality at West Point to ending official celebrations of Black History Month has been taking place.
Trump’s book ban restricts access to libraries until the reviews are completed, includes personal books belonging to teachers, and is only part of the administration’s overall goal.
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