The Department of Defense is pulling books from its libraries that address diversity, anti-racism or gender issues, The Associated Press reported.

The AP obtained a Defense Department memo that orders military leaders to identify such books by May 21. The military academies had previously been told to review their books and curriculum for DEI violations.

Books “promoting divisive concepts and gender ideology are incompatible with the Department’s core mission,” the memo said, according to an AP story posted on Friday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously declared that “DEI is DEAD at DOD,” in line with President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

The military academies were notified in early April to remove books. The U.S. Naval Academy, for example, removed nearly 400 books from its library. Pentagon leaders had ordered the Naval Academy to conduct the book review, according to AP.

The decision to remove books came after the Naval Academy announced it would no longer consider race, ethnicity or sex in admissions, a response to an executive order signed by Trump.

The Supreme Court this past week allowed the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender individuals in the military while legal challenges proceed. After the ruling, Hegseth wrote on X “No More Trans @ DoD.”

“We are leaving wokeness and weakness behind,” Hegseth told special operations troops this week in Florida. “No more pronouns. No more climate change obsession. No more emergency vaccine mandates. No more dudes in dresses. We’re done with that (expletive).”

Efforts to abolish DEI within the Defense Department were also highlighted by officials to mark Trump’s first 100 days in office.

The AP reported that the Defense Department’s efforts to purge DEI-related books have led to the removal of some that address the Holocaust, feminism and civil rights.

On Friday, the White House has announced significant savings after cuts to DEI programs across the federal government, amounting to $2.3 billion. The Department of Education saw the largest savings, with cuts totaling nearly $800 million.

Have a news tip? Contact Cory Smith at corysmith@sbgtv.com or at x.com/Cory_L_Smith.