DOD, Army websites scrub articles on Navajo Code Talkers, citing Trump DEI policies

Yahoo

18-03-2025

The Department of Defense and U.S. Army have scrubbed articles on the Navajo Code Talkers and their contribution to America's victories during World War II, removing the information from websites as part of President Donald Trump's campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion.
In a memo dated Feb. 26, Sean Parnell, assistant to the Secretary of Defense, said that in response to Trump's executive orders, the military branches were required to remove news, feature articles, photos and videos that promote DEI. Any removed content from Defense Department websites and social media platforms were to be archived and retained per applicable records management policies.
That content included mentions of the Code Talkers.
"It is unbelievable," said Zonnie Gorman, daughter of the late Navajo Code Talker Carl Gorman, who was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers.
Zonnie Gorman, professional, longtime public historian, lecturer, and consultant on the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, told The Arizona Republic Monday that it was frustrating to witness attempts at erasing history.
"Indigenous people, we are so invisible in the United States to begin with, and this is such a massive step backward," said Gorman. "To dishonor these men, the Navajo Code Talkers, and World War II, and Code Talkers that served in other branches of the service, to dishonor their service to the United States is unconscionable."
Over the weekend, Arlington National Cemetery reportedly scrubbed its website of various pages on grave sites and classroom lesson plans that highlighted the work of Black, Hispanic and female service members buried at the grounds, again due to Trump's DEI executive order.
The Navajo Code Talkers have long been honored as heroes of World War II, with over 400 young Navajo men enlisting in the U.S. Marines and creating an unbreakable code based on the Navajo language. Many, including Gorman, lied about their age to serve a country that had granted them citizenship only 20 years earlier.
This encrypted code, never deciphered by the enemy, played a crucial role in the United States' success across the Pacific front from 1942 to 1945. Historians contend that the Code Talkers helped accelerate the war's end and, without question, saved thousands of lives.
"It's a disgrace to take this down because of DEI," said Bryan Davis, a Navajo Marine veteran who served from 2004-2015 and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. "The Navajo Code Talkers were an important part of winning World War II. Without the language and the efficiency of the code talkers, had that not taken place or used our code, we wouldn't have won World War II."
Like many Navajo veterans, Davis said he has always admired the Navajo Code Talkers, whose legacy ultimately inspired him to enlist in the Marines shortly after graduating high school. He said the history of the Code Talkers is vital and should not be erased, but rather taught.
"This history is something that should be shared with everybody," said Davis. "It's everybody's history. Everyone talks about American history, this is what it is."
'Not so fast': Native languages should be spoken and preserved, tribes say after Trump's 'English' order
In 1982, Navajo Code Talkers Day was established through a presidential proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. In 2020, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation to make National Navajo Code Talkers Day a state holiday.
Navy veteran and Sen. Mark Kelly took to X on Monday to post his thoughts on the recent erasure of Navajo Code Talkers from the DOD and Army websites, calling it "a slap in the face to the Navajo community."
"There's a movement in this country where history is being removed...blatantly erasing contribution that made this country great." said former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Nez, who recently ran for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, is a fluent Navajo speaker. While campaigning, he made a point to introduce himself in Navajo and remind non-Navajo voters that it was the language that helped win World War II.
"Many knew about the code talkers but it gave me the opportunity to share more of our history with others," said Nez. "So, when you see President Trump, his administration, saying this is part of DEI, he and his team should be reminded that Native Americans, Indigenous people, are embedded in the U.S. Constitution."
Efforts to remove references to the Navajo Code Talkers from military websites under the guise of DEI policies mark another blow to Indigenous communities. Last week, reports surfaced that the Maricopa County Community College District would eliminate student-of-color groups and clubs, including Native American clubs, and cancel the Native American convocations scheduled for May.
Neither Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren nor the Navajo Nation Council has issued a statement regarding the removal of articles on the Navajo Code Talkers. During a recent meeting, council members noted that neither Nygren nor the council has taken a position on Trump's executive orders.
"Navajo Nation Council, also Office of the President and Vice President, have not taken a position on these executive orders," said Council Delegate Danny Simpson. "One voice, we need that. We don't need a different voice from Navajo Nation Council or entities that receive federal funds, the Office of the President that does not work for us."
For now, websites maintained by the U.S. Marines, Air Force and Navy still include active links to articles on the Navajo Code Talkers, but for many people, the question remains how long they will last.
"I want to acknowledge the Marine Corps for not taking down their information on the Navajo Code Talkers," said Gorman. "I hope that remains true. They have a motto — Semper Fi — always faithful. They also never leave a Marine behind. I hope that erasing the Navajo Code Talkers from public knowledge is not an option for them."
American Indians and Alaska Natives serve in the Armed Forces at five times the national average and have distinguished themselves in every major conflict for over 200 years. Despite making up approximately 1.4% of the U.S. population, Native people account for 1.7% of the military — excluding those who did not disclose their identity— giving them the highest per-capita participation of any group in U.S. military service, according to National Indian Council of Aging.
"If we don't stand up and warrior up, what's next," said Nez. " What other histories are going to be erased and that should be a big concern for Indigenous people in this country."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DOD, Army remove Navajo Code Talkers materials, cite Trump DEI riles