ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty Images

The Pentagon Releases Statement On Controversial Jackie Robinson Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 5:24 PM ET

On Wednesday, the Department of Defense made headlines by deleting several articles from its website.

The mass deletion was in accordance with a memo sent from the Pentagon last month calling for a "digital content refresh."

The memo said that the department will "remove and archive DoD news articles, photos, and videos promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)."

One of the stories deleted was an article about Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson's military service, causing controversy.

Robinson is one of the most important American athletes of all time, breaking baseball's color barrier in the 1940s and opening the door for minority athletes all over the country.

The Pentagon responded to the deletion of the Robinson article and others on Wednesday.

"We are pleased by the rapid compliance across the Department with the directive removing DEI content from all platforms," said Pentagon press secretary Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot, in a statement to ESPN.

When asked about the reason for the removal of the story on the @DeptofDefense website on Jackie Robinson's military service, Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot said the following in a statement to ESPN.

(The story remains deleted.) pic.twitter.com/gfwEKS1fiy
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 19, 2025

"In the rare cases that content is removed -- either deliberately or by mistake -- that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct the components and they correct the content accordingly."

Robinson served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II. He was one of several players who served in the Armed Forces during that time, including Ted Williams, Yogi Berra and Bob Feller.

circa 1945: A portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers' infielder Jackie Robinson in uniform. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Another article remains on the website that mentions Robinson, as it points to his teammate Pee Wee Reese - another player who served in the military during the war and who accepted Robinson with open arms on the Brooklyn Dodgers.

"The life of Jackie Robinson represents America at its best," Leonard Coleman, the former National League president and chairman of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, told ESPN.

"Removing an icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient from government websites represents America at its worst."

Robinson is remembered each year by Major League Baseball, as all players wear his No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day in April. Robinson's No. 42 is also retired league-wide as a tribute to his impact on baseball and American society.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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