On Friday, a federal judge affirmed the race-conscious admissions policy of the Naval Academy, dismissing a challenge from a group that previously succeeded in dismantling affirmative action in civilian higher education at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court ruling did not extend to military academies, prompting the recent lawsuit by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) to seek its application to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In his 175-page ruling, U.S. Senior District Judge Richard Bennett stated that SFFA contested any consideration of race in the admissions process at the Naval Academy.
SFFA vows to appeal decision affirming Naval Academy’s admissions policy
Bennett further noted, “After an intense one-year period of discovery and a nine-day bench trial, this Court has found that the Academy’s admissions program withstands the strict scrutiny mandated by the Harvard case,” referencing the recent Supreme Court decision.
The SFFA initiated legal action against the Naval Academy in October 2023, shortly after the Supreme Court effectively ended race-conscious admissions policies at civilian colleges and universities, ruling that they violate the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.
Bennett’s decision supports the federal government’s argument that military academies have a compelling national security interest in fostering a diverse officer corps, which distinguishes them from civilian universities.
Bennett wrote, “Specifically, the Academy has tied its use of race to the realization of an officer corps that represents the country it protects and the people it leads. The Academy has proven that this national security interest is indeed measurable and that its admissions program is narrowly tailored to meet that interest.” He was appointed by former President George W. Bush.
Additionally, he remarked, “Quite simply, this Court defers to the executive branch with respect to military personnel decisions.” SFFA, led by conservative legal strategist Edward Blum, has been enlisting plaintiffs to challenge admissions policies at various educational institutions for years.
In response to the ruling, Blum expressed disappointment, stating, “This organization is disappointed by the Court’s opinion. But just as we did in our successful lawsuits against Harvard and the University of North Carolina, SFFA will appeal this to the appellate court.
If we are unsuccessful there, then we will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.” He added, “It is our hope that the U.S. military academies ultimately will be compelled to follow the Supreme Court’s prohibition of race in college admissions.”
