The ACLU has filed for a federal injunction to block book bans in military-run schools, claiming that executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump earlier this year have led to a widespread removal of books and curriculum on race, gender, and civil rights. The lawsuit, filed in Virginia, argues that these actions violate students’ First Amendment rights, especially in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. Among the books removed are “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Looking for Alaska.” The ACLU seeks to restore the removed materials, asserting that military families should have access to diverse educational content.
The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday asked a federal judge in Virginia to immediately halt what it calls a sweeping campaign of classroom censorship in military-run schools — including at Crossroads Elementary in Quantico — stemming from executive orders issued by former President Donald J. Trump earlier this year.
The motion for preliminary injunction, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, follows a lawsuitbrought last month on behalf of 12 students enrolled in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.
The students, from pre-K to 11th grade, are children of active-duty service members stationed in Virginia, Kentucky, Italy and Japan.
The ACLU’s new filing alleges that books and curriculum touching on race, gender and civil rights have been systematically scrubbed under the guise of enforcing executive orders 14168, 14185 and 14190, which instruct federal agencies to purge references to “gender ideology,” “divisive concepts” and diversity programming.
In Virginia, that has included removing materials from the library at Crossroads Elementary School in Quantico and canceling student events.
“The Trump administration cannot violate the First Amendment by removing books and curricula it doesn’t like,” said Matt Callahan, senior supervising attorney at the ACLU of Virginia. “Students have a right to see themselves reflected in their libraries and classrooms, and they also have a right to learn from the perspectives of people who aren’t like them. That’s no less true for military families than for anyone else.”
Among the 233 books listed as removed or “quarantined” in the latest motion are “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “Looking for Alaska” by John Green and “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Hip-Hop History” by Jeff Chang. The plaintiffs say the materials most frequently targeted are by or about women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals.
Jessica Henninger, a Virginia-based military parent and one of the lead plaintiffs, said her family had remained silent for months out of fear. But after watching DoDEA schools cancel Juneteenth and Holocaust Remembrance Day events and take down posters of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistan education activist shot by the Taliban and winner of the Nobel Peace Price age 17, and Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, she decided speaking out was no longer optional.
“We make sacrifices as a military family so that my husband can defend the Constitution and the rights and freedoms of all Americans,” Henninger said. “If our own rights and the rights of our children are at risk, we have a responsibility to speak out.”
In court filings, the ACLU argues that the censorship campaign has disrupted students’ academic progress — particularly those preparing for Advanced Placement exams — and created a chilling effect in classrooms. Some students now hesitate to ask questions about race or gender, worried that even inquiry could trigger administrative pushback.
“These are American students in American schools, and they have the same First Amendment rights as their peers,” said Emerson Sykes, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. “Families in DoDEA schools have the right to access books about race and gender and the right to learn about the vibrantly diverse world around them.”
Virginia plays a central role in the case. Not only are some of the plaintiffs based in the state, but the case is being heard in the Eastern District of Virginia — a jurisdiction with a history of high-profile First Amendment rulings. Attorneys believe the court could set a national precedent on how far federal agencies, including the military, can go in shaping the content of public education.
While DoDEA officials have said the policy is about “safeguarding children,” critics say it’s political overreach, forcing public servants’ children to bear the brunt of ideological battles.
The ACLU says the orders violate the Supreme Court’s 1982 decision in Island Trees School District v. Pico, which barred school officials from removing library books simply because they dislike the ideas within.
“This kind of political meddling is antithetical to the First Amendment,” said Corey Shapiro, legal director of the ACLU of Kentucky. “And in DoDEA schools, which are some of the most diverse and high-performing schools in the nation, the impact is magnified.”
If successful, the injunction could compel DoDEA to immediately restore books and classroom materials removed this year — including at Virginia installations — and affirm the rights of military families who, attorneys say, have been sidelined in a fight over what their children are allowed to read and learn.
“Our children are not political pawns,” Henninger said. “They deserve to learn the truth — and we intend to make sure they can.”
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Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Left-Leaning
This content reflects a left-leaning political bias because it highlights concerns raised by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) about censorship efforts in military-run schools, which are attributed to executive orders from former President Donald Trump. The article emphasizes themes such as protecting First Amendment rights, opposing the removal of diverse and inclusive educational materials, and framing the censorship as a violation of constitutional freedoms. It critiques conservative policies and aligns with progressive values on education, diversity, and civil liberties, reflecting a perspective more common on the political left.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-09 13:41:00
The Defense Workforce Integration Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), seeks to create pathways for young Americans who are medically disqualified from military service to fill critical civilian roles in national security. The bill mandates the Department of Defense establish formal pathways within a year, addressing workforce gaps in cybersecurity, logistics, and disaster response. The legislation aims to harness the talent of those turned away from the military due to medical reasons, contributing to the defense sector and national security. It also expands the Air Force’s DRIVE program and strengthens collaboration with defense contractors and academic institutions.
(The Center Square) – Over three-quarters of young Americans are ineligible for military service, disqualifying thousands each year who still want to serve — a Virginia-led bill now aims to direct those individuals into civilian defense roles.
In response to gaps in cybersecurity, logistics and disaster response that continue to rise, lawmakers have created the Defense Workforce Integration Act, requiring the Department of Defense to create a formal pathway within one year for medically disqualified applicants to access civilian national security jobs.
A companion version has also been introduced in the Senate.
House Bill 3241, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggan, R-Va., also mandates coordination with defense contractors, federal agencies and academic institutions to help fill critical workforce gaps.
“Every year, tens of thousands of young Americans are turned away from military service – not because they aren’t willing to serve, but because of medical disqualifications that may have no bearing on their ability to contribute,” said Kiggans.
She continued, “This bipartisan, bicameral bill strengthens our workforce, preserves talent, and reinforces our commitment to the defense industrial base at a time when global threats are growing by the day.”
Virginia has over 51,000 open cybersecurity positions in 2025, with only 77% of demand currently met—one of the largest workforce gaps in the nation, according to CyberSeek, a federal workforce data tool used by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“Every year, tens of thousands of young Americans who want to serve our country are medically disqualified from military service, leaving too much talent on the sidelines,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif. “By opening these new pathways, we can strengthen our defense workforce, bolster our national security, and enhance that American desire to serve.”
Panetta’s remarks come as military eligibility continues to decline nationwide.
Only two in five young adults meet both weight and physical activity requirements to join the military, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Obesity alone disqualifies about one-third of potential recruits, and the Department of Defense spends over $1.5 billion a year on obesity-related health costs for current and former service members.
The legislation also expands the Air Force’s DRIVE program, which stands for Develop, Redistribute, Improve, Vault and Expose, a similar initiative that allows “highly qualified and motivated airmen” medically disqualified from Basic Military Training to continue serving the Air Force through civilian service.
It will also require better coordination with defense contractors and academic institutions and directs the Defense Department to refer medically disqualified applicants to civilian roles in national security.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The article predominantly reports on legislative efforts and the facts surrounding military eligibility and workforce needs without promoting a particular ideological agenda. It covers bipartisan support for the Defense Workforce Integration Act, quoting both a Republican and a Democrat, and focuses on practical solutions to national security workforce gaps. The language remains factual and neutral, discussing statistics and legislative details without partisan framing or emotionally charged rhetoric. This balanced presentation suggests neutral, factual reporting rather than an ideological stance.
www.youtube.com – 12 On Your Side – 2025-05-09 08:51:07
SUMMARY: Morning showers and patchy fog are expected today, with a 20% chance of showers at 8 a.m. The rain chance increases by midday, reaching 50% in the afternoon, with hit-or-miss thunderstorms, particularly west of I-95. By 7 p.m., the I-95 corridor should be dry with some sunshine before sunset. Temperatures will stay in the 60s, reaching near 70 in Richmond and mid-70s south of town. The weekend looks pleasant with sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid-70s. Rain returns Monday night, with heavy rain and potential flooding expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
www.youtube.com – NBC4 Washington – 2025-05-08 22:53:27
SUMMARY: GoGo, the official music of Washington DC, is beloved worldwide and has gained national recognition, including a Grammy category in 2021. However, GoGo artists say streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify snub their genre, as GoGo is not listed among the roughly 200 genres on these services. Pioneers James Funk and Wy Brown, son of GoGo founder Chuck Brown, express frustration over the lack of respect and the financial impact it causes. They highlight the challenges in getting GoGo music noticed and urge fans to support a Change.org petition advocating for GoGo’s inclusion on streaming platforms.
Go-go is the official music of Washington, D.C., but when it comes to streaming services where so many listen to and buy music, go-go artists say they’re being snubbed. News4’s Mark Segraves spoke with two legends of go-go about their effort to get the respect they say go-go deserves.
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