Pentagon restores Navajo Code Talkers webpages after outcry

The Pentagon has restored webpages detailing the contributions of Navajo Code Talkers and other Native American veterans after widespread backlash to their initial removal. 

Webpages highlighting the Code Talkers and Native American wartime contributions had been removed from the site in an effort to purge any diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs as part of compliance with President Trump’s executive order ending all federal DEI programs.

In addition to the Code Talkers, a webpage on Jackie Robinson, Japanese American veterans and Army Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers, a Black recipient of the Medal of Honor, were also removed.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren on Tuesday sent a letter to the Pentagon demanding an explanation for the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers webpage. 

During World War II, the Marine Corps recruited Navajo men to help create a code using the Diné language. The code stumped Japanese troops, and the Code Talkers are often credited with helping the U.S. win the war, and in 2000 they were awarded Congressional Gold Medals.

“Recognizing the work of the Navajo Code Talkers is profoundly significant to the Navajo Nation," Nygren said in the letter. He added that as a sovereign entity, federal initiatives should not affect tribal recognition, including initiatives related to DEI.

Pentagon officials on Wednesday said the removal of the webpages were the mistake of an artificial intelligence automated review of DEI mentions on the website. 

“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,” said John Ullyot, press secretary for the Pentagon, in a statement. 

Ullyot added that “[everyone] at the Defense Department loves” Robinson, the Navajo Code Talkers and other minority veterans. 

“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 ever other American who has worn the uniform,” Ullyot said. “DEI — Discriminatory Equity Ideology does the opposite. It Divides the force, Erodes unit cohesion and Interferes with the services’ core warfighting mission.”