US Justice Department Seeks Dismissal of Naval Academy Race-Based Admissions Lawsuit

The U.S. Justice Department, alongside the conservative group Students for Fair Admissions, has requested a federal appeals court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging race-based admissions at the U.S. Naval Academy, citing the academy's permanent end to such practices following President Donald Trump's executive order. The Naval Academy formalized a merit-only admissions policy that excludes consideration of race, ethnicity, or sex, a change ratified by the Defense Department. This move renders moot the previous legal challenge, which had been upheld by a district court based on national security interests and deference to military judgment. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the DOJ's commitment to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunities across the federal government. The change aligns with the January 2025 executive order banning racial preferences in military admissions, reversing prior policies that aimed to enhance minority enrollment but faced conservative opposition. The DOJ has asked the appeals court to vacate the earlier ruling, underscoring that admissions at the Naval Academy will now be based exclusively on merit.