U.S. Senator Katie Britt intervened to address manufactured concerns surrounding the removal of educational materials honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen from the U.S. Air Force’s basic training curriculum.
Her direct engagement with newly sworn-in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth resulted in the immediate reversal of the decision.
By Sunday afternoon, Sec. Hegseth thanked Sen. Britt, saying, “This has been immediately reversed.”
This has been immediately reversed. Thank you @SenKatieBritt. https://t.co/bmoJ4obPNL pic.twitter.com/fXCP3lisLN
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 27, 2025
“I have no doubt Secretary Hegseth will correct and get to the bottom of the malicious compliance we’ve seen in recent days,” Sen. Britt wrote Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
“President Trump celebrated and honored the Tuskegee Airmen during his first term, promoting legendary aviator Charles McGee to Brigadier General and pinning his stars in the Oval Office. In his second term, the Trump Administration will continue to deeply respect and elevate the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy. Their history and their lessons will continue to be taught—because their legacy is one of excellence, of success, and of unquestionable merit.”
Secretary Hegseth acknowledged Britt’s action, saying, “Amen! We’re all over it Senator. This will not stand,” at 3:30 p.m.
RELATED: Tuskegee University set to receive $5.29 million for flight school secured by Sen. Katie Britt
Democrats, including U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) attempted to twist the issue into an example of runaway reform to the Department of Defense’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) office.
DEI at the DoD will in fact change drastically under President Trump and Sec. Hegseth in order to “rip, root and branch, the politics and divisive policies out of these institutions and then focus them on creating and preparing actual future military leadership,” Hegseth described recently under oath.
However, not to the extent it was maliciously complied to in the case of Tuskegee Airmen education.
Rep. Figures attempted to capitalize on the issue in a press release Sunday morning.:
Earlier today pic.twitter.com/9KrAeNKCwE
— Grayson Everett (@Grayson270) January 26, 2025
Controversy first erupted after reports surfaced that videos highlighting the valor and service of the Tuskegee Airmen and WASP had been temporarily removed from the curriculum as part of a review process following President Donald Trump’s executive order ending federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Following Sen. Britt’s intervention, Sec. Hegseth acted within hours to reverse the decision to ensure the materials’ reinstatement in Air Force basic training.
Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson, head of the Air Education and Training Command, confirmed the reinstatement in a statement, saying that, “no curriculum or content highlighting the honor and valor of the Tuskegee Airmen or Women Airforce Service Pilots has been removed from Basic Military Training.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
