Hegseth Blocks Navy Admiral Promotions As Trump Administration Intensifies Anti-DEI Push
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked the promotions of several Black and woman Navy officers selected to become one-star admirals, an unusual intervention in the military promotion process that has drawn scrutiny from defense officials and lawmakers. Sources say that the officers had already been chosen by a board of senior Navy admirals before Hegseth halted their advancement.
The Bigger Picture: The move follows similar actions involving Army promotions earlier this year. Reports indicate that some of the officers affected by previous promotion decisions were women and Black service members, prompting concerns from critics about whether race, gender or perceived ties to diversity initiatives played a role. Pentagon officials have denied allegations of bias and maintain that promotions are based on merit. The promotion blocks are part of broader efforts by Trump administration officials to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the federal government and military.
South Carolina Jury Acquits Store Owner in Killing of Black Teen
A South Carolina jury found convenience store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder Monday in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, a Black teenager. Chow, 61, admitted he shot Carmack-Belton in the back after chasing him from his Columbia store but argued he acted to protect his son. Prosecutors said Chow wrongly believed the teen had stolen four bottles of water and pursued him more than 130 yards before opening fire. They argued Carmack-Belton never threatened anyone and that a pistol he carried fell during the chase. Defense attorneys contended the teen pointed the weapon at Chow’s son, prompting the shooting.
The Impact: In the aftermath of the acquittal, critics questioned whether the justice system adequately valued the life of a Black teenager, echoing concerns raised by Carmack-Belton’s family and supporters. The case renewed scrutiny of racial disparities in high-profile criminal cases and reignited debate over self-defense claims. Protests and vigils were held in Columbia following the verdict, with demonstrators demanding accountability and justice for Carmack-Belton.
Supreme Court Allows Alabama to Use GOP-Favored Congressional Map
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Alabama to use a congressional map favoring Republicans in this year’s elections, blocking a lower court ruling that found the plan intentionally discriminated against Black voters. In a 6-3 decision, the justices granted Alabama’s emergency request to reinstate a map adopted in 2023 that includes only one majority-Black congressional district among the state’s seven districts. A three-judge federal panel previously ruled that the map was tainted by intentional racial discrimination and ordered Alabama to maintain a second district where Black voters could elect their preferred candidate. The court’s three liberal justices dissented.
Why It Matters: The ruling comes amid a broader national battle over congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Alabama officials argued that changing district lines so close to the election would create confusion and disrupt election administration. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey welcomed the decision, while civil rights groups condemned it as a setback for Black voting representation.
Missouri Lawmakers Weigh Funding Cuts to State’s Only Public HBCU
Missouri lawmakers are considering a funding proposal that would reduce state support for the University of Missouri’s Historically Black Land-Grant Institution, Lincoln University, according to reports. The proposal would alter funding levels as lawmakers finalize the state budget, drawing concern from advocates who argue that cuts could disproportionately affect students at Missouri’s only public historically Black college and university. Supporters of Lincoln University have urged lawmakers to maintain funding, citing the institution’s role in expanding access to higher education and workforce development across the state. The budget process remains ongoing, and final funding decisions have not been finalized. Reduced state funding could affect student services, academic programs and campus resources if enacted. Students who rely on institutional support may face fewer opportunities or increased financial pressures. Sources: Missouri Independent; Missouri state budget documents.
Clarence B. Jones, Key Adviser to Martin Luther King Jr., Dies at 95
Clarence B. Jones, the attorney, speechwriter and close adviser to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who helped craft the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, has died at age 95. Jones died May 22 at a senior living community in Cupertino, California, according to a statement released by his family. Jones served as King’s personal attorney and trusted confidant from 1960 until King’s assassination in 1968. He played a key role in several pivotal moments of the civil rights movement, including helping draft King’s 1967 “Beyond Vietnam” speech and smuggling pages of the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” out of the prison where King was detained.
We Remember: Jones’ influence on the civil rights movement extended far beyond speechwriting. After King’s death, Jones built careers in finance and academia, becoming the first Black allied member of the New York Stock Exchange and later teaching at Stanford University and the University of San Francisco. In 2024, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Historians credit his work behind the scenes with helping preserve and amplify messages that remain central to the fight for racial justice and equality today.