Defense Agent forbids Black History Month Month After Trump’s Antidi-Push

Just days before the start of Black History Month, Pentagon’s Intelligence Agency employees received a memo that announced them that all activities related to the annual memorial day were now banned.

According to A note obtained by NBC News, Defense Intelligence Agency ordered a break of all activities and events related to 11 “special observations” in accordance with President Donald Trump’s ban on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs in the federal workplace.

In addition to Black History Month, the Agency also ordered the suspension of events that marked the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National American Indian Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, Women’s History Month, Juntheenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Martin Luther King III, son of the civil rights icon, responded to reports of the note With a post of x, When I write, “Now more than ever, I’m dedicated to being around my father’s business, and I urge all people with good willingness to act about peace for peace, justice, love and justice.”

Employees at Centers for Medicare And Medicaid Services received a similar directive last week. In an E email shared with NBC News, They were informed that all affinity groups, also known as employee resource groups, “were dissolved and special observations are canceled.”

Federal agencies across government are encrypted to comply with Trump’s executive order targeting DEI. Post related to such initiatives has been removed from several government sites, Including the Office of Personnel Management and Homeland Security Department. FEDERAL AGENCY — Websites that previously led to positions on diversity and accessibility resources Show now A “page not found – 404” error message. Agencies have been ordered to place DEI staff on paid leave While the government is preparing plans for their dismissal.

Trump’s new defense secretary, Pete Hegeth, who is now overseeing the Pentagon, has been one of the most eager supporters of the president’s anti-Dei-push. Wednesday sent Hegeth A note Advertising the creation of a task force aimed at abolishing diversity initiatives across the department. In what memo, Hegeth wrote that the DEI effort “is incompatible with the values ​​of DOD.”

Despite these orders, it seems that the White House is still planning to celebrate Black History Month. During his first briefing on Tuesday, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked If the Trump administration intended to mark the annual event.

“As far as I know, this White House has still intended to celebrate – and we will continue to celebrate American history and the contributions that all Americans, regardless of race, religion or creed, have provided to our great country,” told Leavitt to journalists before declaring that “America is back.”