Jackie Robinson’s Army History Story Restored by Department of Defense
The Department of Defense has reinstated a narrative detailing Jackie Robinson’s experience in the Army, where he opposed racism before breaking the color barrier in baseball. Originally published in 2021, the story was removed from the website on Tuesday night but was restored the following day.
As reported by KSBW and ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the webpage was unexpectedly taken down, with “dei” added to the URL, suggesting it was part of the Trump administration’s effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the federal government.
The story’s restoration followed public statements from Department of Defense press secretary John Ullyot, who first criticized DEI efforts while praising the department for its adherence to Trump-era policies. Shortly after, an updated statement recognized Robinson’s service. Nonetheless, both statements left unclear why the page was taken down in the first place.
As the news broke, the story was promptly restored on the DOD website, and the controversial term “dei” was removed from the URL. This incident wasn’t isolated to Robinson; similar removals occurred regarding recognition of the Navajo Code Talkers and other minority service members during the Trump administration.
The now-restored story chronicles Robinson’s military service, particularly highlighting an event that nearly derailed his career. On July 6, 1944, Robinson refused to move to the back of an Army bus when asked by the driver, leading to his arrest by military police. Although he was court-martialed, he was ultimately acquitted and continued to serve until his honorable discharge in November 1944.
Following his military tenure, Robinson thrived in the Negro Leagues and subsequently made history in Major League Baseball, notably shattering the color barrier. He achieved a .313 batting average across his career, garnered multiple All-Star selections, and led the Dodgers to their first World Series victory in 1955. His No. 42 jersey was retired throughout MLB in 1997, symbolizing his enduring legacy.
Prior to the restoration announcement, an MLB spokesperson indicated that the league was monitoring the situation. Although Trump has previously honored Robinson during Black History Month, Robinson’s family has expressed resentment towards Trump’s use of his image, especially regarding political advertisements that don’t align with his values. The fate of the Dodgers’ visit to the White House remains uncertain, as they are scheduled to play the Nationals shortly after the Super Bowl winners are expected to visit.
