Trump directive leads to U.S. Army’s removal of Medgar Evers, other Black veterans’ accomplishments from portions of national cemetery website

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – President Trump’s executive order forcing federal agencies to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion language has now led to the removal of veteran and civil rights leader Medgar Evers’ accomplishments from portions of a U.S. Army website.

Evers, a World War II veteran, was assassinated in Jackson in 1963.

In the education section of the Arlington National Cemetery website, Evers was prominently featured as part of a civil rights walking tour with other notable Black veterans like former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

A 3 On Your Side analysis of archives from the ANC website shows the U.S. Army removed portions under the education section pertaining to African-American veterans, women in the military, Medal of Honor recipients that include people of color and instructional elements pertaining to the history of the Civil War.

Myrlie Evers, the wife of the slain civil rights leader, said the move is a “spit in the face to all who have served, honored, and fought for this country.”

The family went on to say that “any removal of names, history, and significant contributions of African-American, Hispanic, and women veterans from the Arlington National Cemetery website demeans and denigrates their service.”

“History will remember this despicable act.”

“I think it’s a travesty, first of all. Medgar Evers fought to defend this country overseas and came back home, and decided that he wanted to make Mississippi and this country a better place, and because of that, as you know, he lost his life in his own driveway,” said U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson. “But it happened, and people understand that it happened, and for the life of me, I can’t understand why President Trump would want to remove a soldier’s name from a website.”

The online purge also included the removal of “diverse” from various pages on the Arlington National Cemetery site.

A spokesperson for the national cemetery confirmed to WLBT the purge came from President Trump’s executive order banning DEI language.

“We are actively working to update our educational content in compliance with executive orders issued by the President and Department of Defense Instruction,” the spokesperson said.

The agency told 3 On Your Side that service members are still listed in the “Notable Graves” section of the facility’s website.

“Individuals are displayed on these pages with historical accuracy and in commemoration of their service and sacrifice. The individuals from prior categories such as ‘African American History, Hispanic American History and Women’s History’ can be found in other categories such as ‘Prominent Military Figures’ or ‘Science, Technology & Engineering,’ based on the person’s historical contribution to our nation,” the spokesperson said.

WLBT contacted White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on social media for comment, but she has not yet responded.

The White House does not have any contact information listed online for members of the media to be able to ask questions of the Trump administration.

Thompson, whose actions led to Evers’ home being added as a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2017, said it was insulting for the civil rights icon’s achievements to be hidden from the public.

“These were people who basically contributed to who we are as a nation and in some instances paid the ultimate sacrifice. So, uh, we’re gonna ask that they put it back,” Thompson said. “I doubt it. But it’s just a sad commentary that the greatest country in the world is now being so petty that people’s names are being erased from a historical endeavor.”

President Trump has not yet commented on the removal of this information from the national cemetery’s website, but he did praise Evers’ service when he came to Jackson in 2017 to celebrate the opening of the Two Mississippi Museums.

“Sergeant Evers was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In Arlington, he lies beside men and women of all races, backgrounds, and walks of life who have served and sacrificed for our country. Their headstones do not mark the color of their skin, but immortalize the courage of their deeds,” Trump said. “Their memories are carved in stone as American heroes. That is what Medgar Evers was. He was a great American hero.”

See the full statement from the Medgar Evers Family below:

“Arlington National Cemetery is a place to honor, respect, and explore our American heroes. Any removal of names, history, and significant contributions of African American, Hispanic, and Women veterans from the Arlington National Cemetery website demeans and denigrates their service.”

“Race and gender [do] not preclude service to one’s country. Medgar Evers served with dignity and honor. He volunteered to fight tyranny abroad and returned to fight tyranny at home, serving as a voice of courage and justice.”

“History will remember this despicable act.”

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