EveryLibrary Statement on Censorship and Political Interference in Department of Defense K-12 Schools

Under the direction of the Trump White House, the Department of Defense has imposed sweeping ideological restrictions on school libraries, curricula, classroom instruction, and student organizations. This has led to the erasure of essential lessons on race, gender, and history while promoting an overtly political and religious agenda. This is not an exception but a model for what is to come under the Trump administration.

Please sign the petition against censorship in DOD schools and click to share it on Bluesky, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter

This unprecedented campaign of censorship is a direct attack on the rights of students, educators, and military families who rely on DoDEA schools for a high-quality, comprehensive education. The removal of school library books, classroom materials, and student clubs, as well as the banning of cultural observances such as Black History Month, demonstrates that these policies go far beyond routine administrative changes. They represent a radical attempt to reshape public education into a tool for political indoctrination rather than for intellectual exploration, student success, and academic achievement.

A Direct Attack on School Libraries and the Freedom to Read

At the center of this unconstitutional censorship effort is the targeting of school libraries and the forced removal of books and learning materials that do not comply with the administration’s ideology. DoDEA school librarians, trained to provide unbiased access to information, are now being ordered to conduct ideological reviews of library collections and remove books based on vague and politically motivated criteria. Reports from DoDEA schools confirm that:

• Entire school libraries have been temporarily closed while books are removed and reviewed for compliance with Trump’s executive orders.
• Books about immigration, LGBTQ+ identities, and racial justice have been marked for removal.
• Educators have been told to remove books from their personal classroom collections if they reference gender identity, race, or “discriminatory equity ideology,” without clear guidelines on what constitutes a violation.

The impact of these purges of school libraries and curricular bans extends far beyond DoDEA schools themselves. By removing books that reflect the diverse experiences of American military families, the administration actively undermines students’ intellectual growth, restricts access to accurate historical narratives, and isolates already vulnerable populations. Military children—who frequently experience relocations and disruptions in their education—deserve a rich and supportive learning environment, not one that erases their identities or limits their intellectual freedom.

A Warning for Public Schools Across America

What is happening today at Department of Defense grade schools and high schools —where the Trump administration has direct control—is a warning to every public school in America. The policies being tested on the children of military families mirror the censorship regime already enacted in states like Florida, where book bans, gag orders on educators, and restrictions on library collections have become state policy. Make no mistake: this DoDEA action is a blueprint for national education policy. Florida’s aggressive censorship laws have resulted in thousands of books being removed from school libraries, and this is not an exception but a model for what is to come under the Trump administration.

A monthly donation of just $3 helps us fight back.

Harming Military Families and Undermining National Security

The 2024 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS), the largest and most comprehensive study of military family well-being, highlights education as a top concern for military families. Conducted before the sweeping changes in DoDEA policies, the survey underscores how access to quality, stable, and inclusive education directly impacts military family satisfaction, retention, and operational readiness.

With the Trump administration policies imposing ideological censorship and restricting access to diverse books and curricula, we foresee several negative impacts on military families and national security:

• Military families of color and LGBTQ+ families will face increased alienation and discrimination as cultural observances, student organizations, and inclusive curricula are erased from DoDEA schools.
• Educational disruption will worsen for military children, who already experience frequent relocations. With libraries under review and curricula being gutted, children will be left with gaps in learning, lack of representation, and diminished college preparedness.
• Lower retention and recruitment rates for diverse service members, as military families reassess whether to remain in a system that no longer prioritizes their children’s well-being.
• Erosion of U.S. military readiness, as dissatisfaction with the education system impacts the All-Volunteer Force. 

The military relies on retaining highly trained personnel—policies that create unnecessary stress and division among service members will weaken force cohesion and effectiveness. What is happening at DoDEA today is not merely an educational issue; it poses broader implications for military families and national security.

Please sign the petition and click to share it on Bluesky, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter

EveryLibrary’s Commitment to Defending Free Expression 

EveryLibrary supports DoDEA educators, school librarians, military families, and students who are currently facing an unprecedented attack on their right to learn, read, and engage with diverse perspectives. We believe that access to reading and information is a fundamental right and that education should prepare students for democracy rather than suppress it.

The fight against government censorship and ideological control of education is not just about one school district or one state; it is about the future of free thought, democracy, and the right to read. We call on elected officials and legal organizations to challenge these unconstitutional policies and protect the fundamental rights of students, parents, and educators. We stand with military families, educators, and students as we speak out against this blatant censorship. We need public education advocates and library supporters to recognize this as a national crisis. What happens in DoDEA schools today will affect every local public school tomorrow.

EveryLibrary will continue to stand up for school libraries, educators, and students everywhere.