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Attorneys general

Justice Department Settles Litigation Challenging Race-Based Admissions at US Military Academies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United States Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, has announced a settlement resolving two lawsuits challenging race-based admissions practices at the US Military Academy at West Point and the US Air Force Academy. The agreement dismisses the lawsuits brought by Students for Fair Admissions Inc. and ensures that admission to these prestigious institutions will be based exclusively on merit, rather than on the basis of race or ethnicity. This move aligns with the Department's commitment to eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices throughout the federal government.

Key Takeaways:

  • The settlement dismisses two lawsuits challenging race-based admissions practices at the US Military Academy at West Point and the US Air Force Academy.
  • The agreement ensures that admission to these institutions will be based exclusively on merit, not on the basis of race or ethnicity.
  • The Department of Justice has eliminated DEI practices in its federal government institutions.
  • The settlement avoids the need for continued litigation in these two cases.
  • The US Military Academy at West Point and the US Air Force Academy will now implement merit-based admission processes.
  • Students for Fair Admissions Inc. has agreed to drop the lawsuits against the two US military academies.
  • The Department's agreement with Students for Fair Admissions Inc. aligns with the Department's commitment to eliminating DEI practices throughout the federal government.
  • Combatting unlawful discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department's Civil Division.
  • The Department of Justice has resolved similar litigation in the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit regarding the US Naval Academy's former race-based admissions practices.

Statistics:

  • 2 lawsuits challenging race-based admissions practices were settled by the Department of Justice.
  • The lawsuits were brought by Students for Fair Admissions Inc. against the US Military Academy at West Point and the US Air Force Academy.
  • The Department of Justice has eliminated DEI practices throughout the federal government since 2025.
  • 100% of admission decisions at the US Military Academy at West Point and the US Air Force Academy will now be based on merit.
  • The lawsuits against the US Military Academy at West Point and the US Air Force Academy involved alleged unconstitutional practices under the Fifth Amendment.

Sources:

  • United States Attorneys General
  • The Justice Department
  • Students for Fair Admissions Inc.
  • MIL Security OSI (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)
  • www.justice.gov/civil

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