ACLU Applauds Federal Judge’s Ruling Upholding Affirmative Action Policies at U.S. Naval Academy

BALTIMORE – Today, U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett ruled in favor of maintaining the U.S. Naval Academy’s affirmative action policies, allowing the continued consideration of race in its admissions process. The ruling supports the Navy’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a diverse officer corps capable of leading a rapidly changing and diverse military force.

This ruling comes after a two-week trial that focused on the legal challenges raised by the group, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), which sought to extend the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling banning the consideration of race in college admissions to military academies. The Supreme Court’s decision left a critical carve-out for military institutions, recognizing their distinct interests in promoting mission readiness, national security, and effective leadership.

In the decision, the court concluded that “the Naval Academy’s race-conscious admissions program withstands the strict scrutiny in the ambit of the Supreme Court’s opinion in the Harvard case.” The court also observed that SFFA “seeks to expand the Harvard decision to include the Naval Academy… that effort has FAILED.”

“We are encouraged by today’s ruling, which recognizes the importance of diversity in shaping leaders who can effectively respond to the complex global challenges our nation faces,” said Leah Watson, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program. “Today’s decision also unequivocally rejects the attempt by Ed Blum’s SFFA to apply the Harvard University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill decision beyond their fact specific context. Under justified circumstances the law has – and still does – allow for the consideration of race to protect equal opportunity.”

Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union filed an amicus brief on behalf of the National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW) and other civil rights partners, describing the disparities in the promotion of service members of color, noting that they had fewer role models for professional development, lacked social capital, and were underexposed to career broadening opportunities.

“For decades, Black service members – especially Black women – have faced systemic barriers in the military that limit their advancement and visibility,” said Latia Suttle, national public relations officer of the National Association of Black Military Women. “Today’s ruling is a reaffirmation that the military’s strength lies in its diversity, and that a diverse leadership is essential to fostering an environment where all service members can thrive.”

The ruling is especially significant given the continued racial disparities in military leadership. In the Navy, Black people make up 20 percent of enlisted staff but less than half that – just 9 percent – of the officer ranks. As of 2020, only 10 admirals of the 268 in the Navy were Black. Military academies have a direct impact on the composition of the officer ranks, especially at the most senior positions which take 20 to 30 years to achieve.

A copy of the ruling can be found here.