Since taking office in January, the new administration has signed more than 100 executive orders, shaping policies that directly affect public servants, including military members, veterans, and the organizations that support them. Amplifying the voices of veterans and their families for positive change is central to Mission Roll Call’s mission. In the face of new policies, we aim to be mindful of how to implement these orders in ways that are consistent with this mission.

In this article, we discuss President Trump’s executive orders focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We will examine the intent and purpose of these orders and where they fit in the larger picture. Following this background is a discussion and critique surrounding the removal of important stories from the US military’s history—stories we believe should remain prominent in public-facing government platforms.

What is the Executive Order?

The new administration signed a series of executive orders to end or amend past administrative actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (DEI). DEI broadly refers to diversity initiatives intended to prevent discrimination and foster environments that are more welcoming to people of historically marginalized communities. However, some Americans believe these initiatives can lead to accidental preferencing of the people they seek to include. Accidental preferencing occurs when seemingly neutral actions or policies inadvertently favor certain groups, undermining merit-based opportunities and fairness.

In the executive order signed on January 20, 2025 – Inauguration Day – the administration stated the rationale behind these changes: “Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect.” To implement this EO, agencies and federal contractors are subject to the review and revision, as appropriate, of all employment practices and training programs or policies. The objective of this review is to ensure that Federal employee performance reviews “shall reward individual initiative, skills, performance, and hard work.” The intention of this order is positive. Most agree that employees, whether in the public or private sector, should be evaluated and rewarded based on their merit and skill. However, if agencies are too zealous in implementing these directives, they risk swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction. 

Overzealous Implementation of this Executive Order Risks Minimizing Historic Achievements

Agencies are using their best judgment in implementing these executive orders, but the results so far are inconsistent across the federal sector. An example of this is DOD’s removal of thousands of historical images and stories from the US military’s exalted history. This decision runs contrary to the intent of these executive orders and severs important historical connections and achievements. 

Everyone who serves or has served takes pride in their contributions to the military’s success and legacy. Family members tell stories of their grandparents, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and more who have served with honor and distinction. The military we know today is built upon the perseverance, sacrifice, and legacy of yesterday’s heroes, no matter their immutable characteristics. There’s a saying in the infantry: there’s no color in the foxhole. The veterans and their stories that make up this history are founded in merit, skill, and dedicated service, the very qualities we seek to elevate through these executive orders. Removing important parts of this history from the ledger runs contrary to the intent of these orders. We risk losing touch with the challenges prior generations overcame that forged the most powerful military to date. 

For example, images of the “Enola Gay,” the Boeing B-29 aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, were among the 26,000 images flagged for removal. This aircraft was part of one of the most well-known missions in world history, and its removal from public records would be a tragic mistake. It’s also clearly not in line with the intent of the EO. Additionally, war heroes and trailblazers, such as Black Medal of Honor recipient Army Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers and the first female fighter pilot, Air Force Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt had webpages detailing their service taken down due to mentions of their race or gender. But we cannot accurately tell these heroes’ histories without mentioning elements of their identity that – while not qualifying on their own – are part of their stories of triumph. They are part of our military history and it is our duty to represent them in the fullness of who they were. It’s our collective responsibility to uphold and comply with the intent of the order—which, for veteran organizations like Mission Roll Call, means sharing the stories of service members and veterans of all genders, races, and identities.

How Can We Better Implement this Executive Order?

Throughout history, brave men and women of all backgrounds, races, and identities have served our country with dignity. It would be an injustice to them and the future generations of brave men and women to erase their role in our nation’s history. 

For example, during World War I, more than 1,000 women stood up to do whatever they could for their country. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were a group of women who trained for non-combat military missions to free up men to serve on the front lines. The WASPs rallied for 30 years to receive their rightfully earned veteran status. It would be a mistake to erase their efforts and recognition for their military service and their pioneering role in the war. This is just one of many examples of brave Americans making sacrifices for the good of our country, and it is a story based on merit and skill. This history should not be erased or removed, and to do so would be a disservice to our brave former and current service members, their families – and their legacies.

Mission Roll Call is an organization that amplifies the voices and needs of veterans and their families from all backgrounds.  Many of the groups whose stories are being retold or removed are already under-resourced. Rural American Indians and Alaska Natives who serve in the military at higher rates than any other group have less access to primary care providers, with Native Americans having disproportionately worse health than any other U.S. racial group. Likewise, Black veterans are significantly overrepresented among homeless veterans and female veterans are more likely to be homeless with dependent children. Mission Roll Call will continue to advocate for all veterans, especially those from underserved communities whose stories are often overlooked. Upholding the values of equity and inclusion doesn’t require erasing history. It demands that we tell it fully, honestly, and with the respect every veteran has earned.