Students Sue Pentagon Over Book Bans and Curriculum Censorship in Defense Department Schools

A dozen students from U.S. Defense Department schools have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense and Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging that recent executive orders from President Donald Trump have led to unconstitutional censorship. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the case—backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) — claims the students’ First Amendment rights were violated by removing educational materials dealing with race and gender. The students are children of active-duty service members across six families.

According to the ACLU, three of Trump’s executive orders, signed in January, directly resulted in the banning of books and curriculum that address issues of race, gender identity, and systemic inequality. The Pentagon has not yet responded. Critics argue these orders are part of Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly within federal institutions, including military-run schools. The Trump administration has also introduced measures limiting transgender rights, drawing sharp backlash from civil rights groups.

The lawsuit comes amid a nationwide surge in book bans and educational restrictions, particularly in Republican-led states. PEN America, a free speech advocacy group, has reported over 10,000 book bans during the 2023–24 school year, primarily affecting works by authors of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women. While rights groups warn of increasing censorship and erasure of marginalized voices, Trump’s supporters claim the measures defend merit-based education and protect students from inappropriate content.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright