Justice Department Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Naval Academy’s Race-Conscious Admissions Policy

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally requested the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Naval Academy’s use of race-conscious admissions policies, citing recent policy changes that render the case moot. The lawsuit, initiated by the advocacy group Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), contested the constitutionality of considering race in admissions decisions at the military institution.

In a joint filing submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on June 16, 2025, both the DOJ and SFFA agreed that the Naval Academy’s cessation of race-based admissions practices effectively nullifies the legal dispute. The DOJ further requested the court to vacate a prior district court ruling that had upheld the legality of the academy’s affirmative action policies.

The Naval Academy’s policy shift aligns with directives issued by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year. An executive order signed on January 27, 2025, mandated that all branches of the Armed Forces eliminate any preferences based on race or sex in their operations, including admissions processes. In compliance, Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, the academy’s superintendent, implemented new guidelines on February 14, 2025, explicitly prohibiting the consideration of race, ethnicity, or sex in admissions decisions.

This development follows a broader national debate over affirmative action policies in educational institutions. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard that race-conscious admissions programs at civilian universities violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. However, the Court’s decision did not extend to military academies, noting their unique considerations related to national security interests.

SFFA, led by affirmative action opponent Edward Blum, subsequently filed lawsuits against several military academies, including the Naval Academy, seeking to challenge the exemption. The Naval Academy case was the first to proceed to trial. In December 2024, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett upheld the academy’s race-conscious admissions policy, citing a compelling national security interest in maintaining a diverse officer corps. Judge Bennett emphasized that such diversity enhances unit cohesion, recruitment, retention, and the legitimacy of the military both domestically and internationally.

Despite the district court’s ruling, the Naval Academy’s subsequent policy change has altered the legal landscape. The DOJ’s motion to dismiss the case reflects the position that, with the elimination of race-based admissions considerations, there is no longer a live controversy requiring judicial resolution.

The outcome of this case may have implications for similar lawsuits filed against other military academies, such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Both institutions have faced legal challenges from SFFA and have also moved to end race-conscious admissions practices in response to the executive order.

Critics of the policy changes argue that eliminating affirmative action in military academies could negatively impact the diversity and effectiveness of the U.S. Armed Forces. Maryland Representative Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat serving on the Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors, expressed concern that the decision “will have negative implications on our military’s recruitment and retention for decades to come.” She emphasized that a Navy and Marine Corps reflecting the nation’s diversity are crucial for mission readiness and national security.

The court’s decision on whether to grant the DOJ’s motion to dismiss the case is pending. Observers note that the resolution could set a precedent for how affirmative action policies are addressed in military educational institutions moving forward.