Legal Battle Erupts Over Naval Academy's Affirmative Action Policy

Students for Fair Admissions, a group that previously sued West Point, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Naval Academy, seeking to prevent the consideration of race in admissions. The group aims to build on their Supreme Court victory that struck down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. While military academies were not part of the previous lawsuits, a footnote in the ruling left the question of race in admissions to the military service academies open. The Naval Academy, along with West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy, emphasizes a holistic admissions process that considers various factors, including academic credentials and leadership potential. The Defense Department is currently reviewing the Supreme Court decision and its potential impact.