Federal Judge Orders Release of 596 Books Pulled from Military Schools Amid First Amendment Lawsuit

ALEXANDRIA, VA – A federal judge has ordered the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to release a list of 596 books removed from its school libraries worldwide, a development stemming from an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit filed on behalf of military families. The removals and curriculum changes, initiated in response to executive orders from the Trump administration, have ignited a legal battle over alleged censorship in schools serving military dependents. The lawsuit claims these actions violate students' First Amendment rights to access information.

The controversy began following executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in January 2025, which aimed to eliminate "gender ideology extremism" and "radical indoctrination" from federal agencies. Subsequently, the Pentagon directed DoDEA to review and remove materials deemed non-compliant, leading to a widespread culling of books, alterations to curriculum, and the cancellation of cultural awareness observances. DoDEA Director Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, along with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, are named as defendants in the ongoing litigation.

The 596 books primarily address themes of LGBTQ+ identities, race, and racism, with titles such as the graphic novel series Heartstopper and Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me among those affected. Concerns over the books' presence in military dependent schools have been publicly voiced, including by military spouse Amy Haywood, who questioned the materials on social media, stating, "WHY were these 596 books in our military dependents schools?!! Dr. Narvaez, did your DEI Steering Committee okay these?"

The ACLU argues that DoDEA's actions constitute "system-wide censorship" and prevent students from learning about diverse perspectives and their own identities. Emerson Sykes, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU, emphasized that military children "deserve classrooms where they are free to read, speak, and learn about themselves, their neighbors, and the world around them." DoDEA officials, while declining specific comment on the ongoing litigation, have stated that the books are undergoing a review process and have not been permanently banned, being relocated to a professional collection accessible only to staff.

Military Families for Free Expression, a group formed in response to the removals, has decried the actions, with spokesperson Libby Jamison stating, "These bans aren't about protecting children; they're about restricting what young people are allowed to know, feel and question." The legal challenge underscores a broader national debate over curriculum content and parental rights in education, with the outcome of this lawsuit potentially setting a precedent for federally operated school systems.