Colin Powell, WWII vet Medgar Evers removed from Arlington National Cemetery website? Official responds

This comes as the Arlington National Cemetery has reportedly removed several web pages that celebrated Black and women veterans.

Published on: Mar 21, 2025, 08:43:29 IST

By HT News Desk

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After claims about civil rights leader and World War veteran Medgar Evers’ name being removed from the Arlington National Cemetery website surfaced, a spokesperson clarified that it was only ‘moved to a different section’. Now, social media influencers say that Colin Powell’s name was purged from the list of notable Americans buried in the cemetery.

Colin Powell, a US war hero and the first Black secretary of state, died from complications from Covid-19, his family said on October 18, 2021. (AFP FILE)

This comes as the Arlington National Cemetery has reportedly removed several web pages that celebrated Black and women veterans. The HuffPost reported that the purging follows President Donald Trump’s executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the federal government.

Talking Point Memo reported that an army webpage from 2008 that lauded President Harry Truman’s 1948 integration order has disappeared. It was available as recently as last year, web archives show.

Official responds

Responding to the TPM report, a spokesperson said: “As Secretary Hegseth has said, DEI is dead at the Defense Department. Efforts to divide the force — to put one group ahead of another through DEI programs — erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution,”

“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 that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct components accordingly.”

Users on Elon Musk-led X fact-checked claims. “No individuals have been removed from the listings of Notable Graves on the Arlington Cemetery website. Colin Powell is listed in the section ‘Prominent Military Figures’,” a community note read.

Also read: Is Pentagon going to fire 60,000 civilians? Here's what we know so far?

Who was Colin Powell?

Colin Powell was a Black American general and statesman. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993), overseeing the Gulf War, and as Secretary of State (2001–2005) during the start of the Iraq war. Known for the "Powell Doctrine" and breaking racial barriers, he died of COVID-19 complications in 2021.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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