The Trump administration has taken steps to purge “DEI” from their websites and outreach. Some actions are laughable, such as eliminating references to the Enola Gay, for having that unmentionable word in its name. Some are puzzling like cancelling a Marine Band concert that encourages budding musicians. Others are hurtful such as removing references to Americans of all stripes from military websites, including Americans who served and, in some instances, gave their lives for our country.
These actions insult the idea of “Making America Great.” They are short-sighted, feeble, childish efforts to retreat from the reality of all of the Americans that love their country and are willing to defend it. Mr. Hegseth may want to create a “warrior culture” in the military, but these efforts just create a white-only mens-club masquerading as the military.
These actions certainly anger me. More to the point, though, they lead me to wonder about what’s next. This Administration began its tenure by going after groups who can least defend themselves (SNAP cuts, Medicaid cuts, VA support). Now they are symbolically purging the military by sending the past deeds of real people down a memory hole. Will this then lead to real purges of anyone who does not meet some arbitrary definition of “warrior”? Will opposition parties and free speech be outlawed next? It is truly only a short step from here to that end.
Jim Maneval