Navajo Code Talkers’ Legacy Temporarily Removed from Defense Department Websites
The Trump administration recently faced criticism after an artificial intelligence error resulted in the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers’ legacy from the Department of Defense’s online platforms. According to Navajo tribal officials, the error occurred due to the AI mistaking the term “Navajo” in “Navajo Code Talkers” for content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The White House has since informed Navajo President Buu Nygren about the technical mistake and has taken steps to address it. Pentagon press secretary John Ulyot explained that the military continues to remove references to DEI, which he labeled as “Discriminatory Equity Ideology.”
The Department of Defense is working to restore information about a Pima Indian from Arizona who was featured in one of the most renowned photographs of the 20th century. This restoration effort comes amidst a broader initiative by the Trump administration to eliminate content promoting DEI from military websites.
Ulyot emphasized the Pentagon’s commitment to recognizing military heroes like the Navajo Code Talkers and others, stating, “Everyone at the Defense Department loves Jackie Robinson, as well as the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee airmen, the Marines at Iwo Jima and so many others – we salute them for their strong and in many cases heroic service to our country, full stop. We do not view or highlight them through the prism of immutable characteristics, such as race, ethnicity or sex. We do so only by recognizing their patriotism and dedication to the warfighting mission like every other American who has worn the uniform.”
Ulyot further criticized DEI, describing it as a divisive ideology that undermines military cohesion and interferes with the core warfighting mission. He expressed satisfaction with the department’s swift compliance with the directive to remove DEI content from military platforms.
He also clarified, “In the rare cases that content is removed — either deliberately or by mistake — that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct the components and they correct the content so it recognizes our heroes for their dedicated service alongside their fellow Americans, period.”
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