Congress criticizes book ban at military service academies

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth denied claims that war plans were being texted and defended leaked information. Democrats in Congress are seeking answers from the Pentagon regarding reported book bans at the elite service academies. The ban on books is part of an effort by the Pentagon to remove “woke” ideology from the military. Over 400 books, including Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” have been banned at the Naval Academy as part of this policy. The House Armed Services Committee Democrats are concerned that this ban is an attack on the First Amendment and academic freedom, likening it to McCarthy-era censorship. Senator Joseph McCarthy famously led investigations into alleged Communist infiltration in the 1950s, which ultimately damaged his reputation and led to his censure by his peers. The Democrats are seeking information from the military academies regarding who directed the removal of books, how they were selected for the ban, and whether they have been removed from shelves. This controversy highlights the ongoing tension over diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the military and the broader debate over academic freedom and censorship.