Jackie Robinson’s DoD page restored following major public outcry amid DEI purge

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently removed the page of HOF Jackie Robinson, who is known for breaking the color barrier in MLB.

Jackie Robinson’s DoD page restored following major public outcry amid DEI purge

MLB Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson (Image via ABC News)

On Wednesday, MLB great Jackie Robinson became the talk of the town after the US Department of Defense (DoD) removed his military page amid the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) purge. Following massive public outcry the page has been restored on the website once again.

The MLB Hall of Famer is known for breaking the color barrier in the major leagues. In 1947, Robinson broke the color line when he became the first African-American player to play in the MLB. He started on the first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers’ signing of Robinson heralded the end of racial segregation in baseball. Before that, black players were relegated to the Negro Leagues.

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Before transitioning into baseball, Robinson served as a veteran of World War II. As a result of this, the DoD had a page of him titled, “Sports Heroes Who Served: Baseball Great Jackie Robinson Was WWII Soldier,” which recounted his time in the military.

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On Wednesday, this page was removed following the DEI drive by President Donald Trump and his administration. MLB insider Jeff Passan broke out the story and slammed the administration for this. Passan’s message would go viral leading to massive backlash on social media.

The page has now been restored. In a statement released by Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot before the page came back, said that in rare cases, content is deliberately or by mistake removed from the site.

We are pleased by the rapid compliance across the Department with the directive removing DEI content from all platforms. 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 so it recognizes our heroes for their dedicated service alongside their fellow Americans, period.

The DoD said in a statement

Stephen A. Smith called out Donald Trump for removing Jackie Robinson’s military page

Donald Trump and his administration removing the military page of the Jackie Robinson led to huge outcry. Popular sportscaster Stephen A. Smith was one of them who slammed the US President and called him out.

Stephen A. Smith, Jackie Robinson and Donald Trump
Stephen A. Smith, Jackie Robinson and Donald Trump (Image via Variety/MLB/Imago)

While reacting to this development on First Take, Smith claimed that if nobody calls him out then he will. He even called on Vice President JD Vance and expressed that he wants to have a word with them regarding this.

President Trump, I’m happy to sit down with you to have that conversation, sir. I’d love for you to try to defend it. Vice President Vance, you too… Stephen A. Smith is calling you out on national television. I’d love for you to sit down with the cameras rolling and try to defend this.

Stephen A. Smith said on First Take

Smith also pointed out the hiring of Pete Hegseth, the head of the Defense Department. The commentator claimed that Hegseth was also a DEI hire. Hegseth is one of Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

However, his nomination has also faced severe backlash. After serving in the army, he joined Fox Sports and served as the co-host of the “Fox & Friends Weekend”. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate despite him having s**ual assault and alcohol abuse allegations against him.

Former NFL star Robert Griffin III under massive heat for claiming Jackie Robison breaking color barrier was not political

As several people questioned the removal of Jackie Robinson’s page from the Department of Defense (DoD) website, a former NFL star Robert Griffin III came under massive heat. This happened after he claimed that Robinson breaking the color barrier was not political.

Robert Griffin III
Robert Griffin III (Image via Imago)

Taking to his X account, Griffin III mentioned that sports shows should be about sports and not politics. While he did not mention any names, it was likely that he was speaking about prominent names that had taken a stance against this move by the government.

He then made another tweet. In that, the former QB claimed that this tweet was not about Robinson and acknowledged his significance. However, he then claimed that him breaking the color barrier was not political.

He now finds himself in hot waters regarding this comment. Several X users bashed and ridiculed him for this take.

Robinson broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947, when he made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This day is now celebrated as Jackie Robinson Day in MLB, where every player in the league wears No.42 on their back, the number Robinson wore.