Restoring America's Fighting Force

This executive order abolishes all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and programs within the Department of Defense and Coast Guard, prohibits teaching of 'divisive concepts,' 'gender ideology,' and critical views of America's founding documents at military educational institutions, and mandates internal reviews and implementation reports. It directs the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to eliminate race- and sex-based preferences in favor of meritocratic, 'color-blind and sex-neutral' processes.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 8763

Impact dates

Jul 26, 2025
Implementation progress report with recommendations due through Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
Apr 27, 2025
Secretary of Defense internal review on DEI initiatives delivered to Secretary of Defense
Feb 26, 2025
Detailed implementation guidance due from Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security

Key directives

Abolish every DEI office within DoD and DHS/USCG, including sub-offices, programs, elements, or initiatives
Secretary of Defense to conduct internal review documenting DEI actions and discrimination instances, deliverable within 90 days
Prohibit teaching or inculcating divisive concepts, gender ideology, and theories that founding documents are racist or sexist
Ban hiring employees, contractors, or consultants to teach prohibited theories
Secretaries to review service academy leadership, curriculum, and instructors for alignment
Require service academies to teach that America and its founding documents are 'the most powerful force for good in human history'
Issue detailed implementation guidance within 30 days
Submit implementation progress report within 180 days through Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Abolition of DEI offices and programs ordered
Prohibition on promoting divisive concepts and gender ideology takes effect
Ban on hiring instructors to teach prohibited theories

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Defense internal review on DEI initiatives due (90 days)
Detailed implementation guidance due from both Secretaries (30 days)
Review of service academy leadership, curriculum, and instructors to begin

Long term

180-day implementation progress report due
Structural changes to military education curriculum
Potential lasting changes to military personnel and promotion systems

Risks & tensions

Potential legal challenges based on First Amendment academic freedom and equal protection claims
Conflict with existing military regulations and pending litigation on prior similar orders
Tension between 'meritocracy' mandate and statutory diversity goals in military recruitment
Ambiguity in scope of 'vestiges' of DEI offices creates implementation uncertainty
Curriculum mandate on founding documents may conflict with academic independence norms at service academies
Cross-reference to EO 13950 (Trump administration) suggests reinstating previously rescinded framework