US Air Force resumes Tuskegee Airmen training video after DEI review

The U.S. Air Force is reversing course after removing video of Tuskegee Airmen from its training in response to President Donald Trump’s DEI ban. Now, the video is back, with incoming Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pushing the change.

The Air Force removed the video from its curriculum for a review, following Trump’s executive order in his first week to remove all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the federal level. 

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Who criticized the Air Force’s decision?

Many criticized the move, including Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, which is home of the Tuskegee training base where the Tuskegee Airmen got their name.

Britt posted to X on Sunday, Jan. 26, describing the decision to pause the videos as “malicious compliance” with the DEI review. She also said President Trump celebrated the Tuskegee Airmen during his first term, promoting aviator Charles McGee to brigadier general and pinning his stars in the Oval Office.

I have no doubt Secretary Hegseth will correct and get to the bottom of the malicious compliance we’ve seen in recent days. President Trump celebrated and honored the Tuskegee Airmen during his first term, promoting legendary aviator Charles McGee to Brigadier General and pinning…

— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) January 26, 2025

Hegseth, who was sworn in Friday, Jan. 24, responded to Britt on X.

“We’re all over it Senator. This will not stand,” Hegseth said.

Amen! We’re all over it Senator. This will not stand. https://t.co/Hii282f1d8

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 26, 2025

A few hours later Hegseth posted another update.

“This has been immediately reversed,” Hegseth said. 

This has been immediately reversed. Thank you @SenKatieBritt. https://t.co/bmoJ4obPNL pic.twitter.com/fXCP3lisLN

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 27, 2025

Are the WASP videos returning?

Videos about women Air Force service pilots, known as WASPS, is also back in the Air Force training curriculum. Officials temporarily removed the videos as the result of the DEI review.

How is the Air Force responding?

Brian Robinson, Air Education and Training Command commander for the Air Force, issued a statement on Sunday.

He said the videos had not been specifically targeted for removal. However, the overall DEI coursework removal was in compliance with President Trump’s orders.

He announced the training content would return Monday.

What are the results of Trump’s executive order?

Last week, the Trump administration emailed thousands of federal employees ordering them to report anyone trying to “disguise” diversity initiatives in their agencies or they would face “adverse consequences.”

While Trump’s executive order is limited to government agencies, several major companies have taken similar moves, including DEI training being scaled back at Meta, Amazon and Target.

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Civil rights advocates argue that DEI programs are needed to address inequities and structural racism.

Critics of DEI programs say race and gender-focused initiatives are discriminatory and don’t prioritize merit.