Pentagon Agency Suspends MLK Day, Black History Month, Pride Month Observances After Trump’s DEI Ban
A Tuesday memo suspended 11 annual observances, including Women’s History Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed its authenticity and said the move is specific to the DIA, not Pentagon-wide policy.
WASHINGTON — The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has abruptly halted observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Pride Month, and several other cultural and historical events, citing compliance with President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal agencies.
A memo issued Tuesday announced the suspension of 11 annual observances, including Women’s History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and National Hispanic Heritage Month. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the memo’s authenticity and noted that the decision appears to be unique to the DIA rather than a sweeping Pentagon policy.
Cultural and Historical Observances Put on Hold
The directive immediately pauses agency recognition of:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Black History Month
- Women’s History Month
- Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- LGBTQ Pride Month
- Juneteenth
- Women’s Equality Day
- National Hispanic Heritage Month
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- National American Indian Heritage Month
While MLK Day and Juneteenth were included in the suspension, the memo states that their status as federal holidays remains unchanged.
Democrats Condemn the Move
Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the suspension of these observances, arguing that the order undermines decades of progress in promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity within the federal workforce.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the executive order “lawless, destructive, and cruel,” adding that it disregards established legal frameworks designed to prevent the executive branch from unilaterally withholding congressionally approved funds.
Senator Patty Murray echoed those concerns, labeling the move “illegal and unconstitutional” while warning that it could have significant consequences for workplace protections and civil rights initiatives.
A coalition of 23 Democratic attorneys general has also taken legal action, filing a lawsuit against the executive order. The suit argues that Trump’s directive violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which prohibits the president from withholding funds for political purposes without congressional approval.
Meanwhile, civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), criticized the order, calling it a deliberate attempt to dismantle progress on DEI and accessibility efforts. “This is about erasing history and creating new barriers to opportunity,” an ACLU spokesperson said in a statement.
Backlash Grows as Agencies Struggle with DEI Ban
The decision comes amid widespread confusion among federal agencies following Trump’s January 20 executive order, which abruptly ended DEI programs without clear instructions on implementation. Many agencies, including the DIA, have taken extreme measures to avoid noncompliance, effectively erasing programs meant to recognize the contributions of marginalized communities.
The directive also aligns with the stance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has taken a hardline approach to dismantling DEI initiatives.
“We’re not joking around,” Hegseth told Fox News on Wednesday. “There’s no changing of names or softly manipulating something. DEI is gone.”
White House Attempts Damage Control
The White House has yet to provide clarification on the administration’s position regarding the recognition of Black History Month and other cultural observances. When pressed on the issue Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a vague response.
“This White House certainly still intends to celebrate, and we will continue to celebrate American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion, or creed, have made to our great country,” Leavitt said.
A Pattern of Erasure?
The move is part of a broader rollback of DEI-related initiatives across the military. The Air Force recently removed DEI coursework from its basic training curriculum, initially erasing lessons on the Tuskegee Airmen and World War II female pilots. After public outcry, officials backtracked, stating that the historical content would be reinstated.
The DIA’s decision to suspend these observances raises concerns about the erasure of critical historical and cultural recognition programs within the federal government. With no clear guidance from the administration, agencies appear to be overcompensating—eliminating programs that, for decades, have served to highlight the diverse contributions of Americans. The long-term impact of Trump’s directive remains uncertain, but for now, communities that have fought for recognition are seeing their history sidelined once again.
