US judge affirms Naval Academy consideration of race in admissions process

A federal judge ruled that having a diverse military is in the national interest after rejecting a challenge to the American Naval Academy’s policy of taking race into account when evaluating admissions applications.

A group opposed to affirmative action that has frequently used the courts to challenge the use of race in university admissions, US District Court Judge Richard Bennett in Maryland ruled in a decision on Friday.

The Academy has, Bennett wrote, “more specifically, the realization that an officer corps represents the country it protects and the people it leads” by citing the use of race. The Academy has demonstrated that the Academy’s admissions program was specifically designed to meet this national security interest and that it is indeed measurable.

A similar practice at Harvard University was challenged by Students for Fair Admissions in a case brought by students for fair admissions. In June 2023, the US Supreme Court rendered a decision in favor of the group, which ultimately reversed the ruling.

However, that decision, while generally favorable to those who opposed affirmative action, suggested that considerations of national security might have an impact on the status of the race and admissions, opening up the possibility of an exemption for military academies.

While affirmative action opponents contend that some groups are unfairly favored over others, supporters point out that race is just one factor in admissions decisions.

They add that affirmative action initiatives have been effective in reducing the cumulative effects of segregation and exclusion that racial minorities have experienced throughout American history.

Lawyers for the US Naval Academy argued that a diverse military is more powerful, efficient, and respected during a two-week trial in September.

Former president George W. Bush, according to Bennett, that the defense had “established a compelling national security interest in a diverse officer corps” and that race considerations were largely irrelevant in admissions decisions.

Edward Blum, the president of Students for Fair Admissions, said the organization plans to take the case before the Supreme Court in a statement in which he expressed his disappointment with the decision.