Senator Topley criticizes Pentagon DEI removal and honors Navajo code talkers during floor remarks

Senator Topley used a point of personal privilege during the floor session to criticize the Pentagon's removal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) material and to honor the Navajo code talkers, whom he described as indispensable to U.S. military history.

"Yesterday, I found out that, the Navajo code talkers were erased from the Department of Defense history itself," Senator Topley said on the floor, asserting that a Pentagon official had confirmed removals of DEI content. He told colleagues the Pentagon press secretary had said DEI content had been removed and referenced remarks he attributed to Pete Hegseth. Topley also said the U.S. Supreme Court had "confirmed that DEI is not applicable to tribal nations," a point he presented in the course of his remarks.

Topley recounted family history to underscore his remarks: "My uncle, Kia Ani, was a code talker in Iwo Jima. He was shot three times... They lined him up after torturing them and torturing them for days. Lined him up and in front of everybody, they cut off his tongue. They cut off his tongue, and that's how he died." He characterized the code talkers as exemplars of honor, bravery and love for country and tribal homelands.

Topley said the issue was important to Native communities and urged resilience: "Continue to stand fast, continue to have courage, and continue to pray that our leadership is here for all Americans and not just the select few." His remarks were framed as a personal appeal and as historical commentary; no formal Senate action followed from the floor statement in the transcript.

The floor transcript records the point of personal privilege and the senator's account, but does not include supporting documents or outside testimony. Statements about the Pentagon's actions and the Supreme Court's rulings were presented as the senator's assertions on the floor and are reported here as his remarks.