Reversal of Bible removal decision in West Point chapel, as directed by the Secretary of the Army
In a recent turn of events, the West Point Cadet Chapel Bibles have been at the centre of a controversial change, as the United States Military Academy's crest was reportedly removed from the holy books [1][2]. This decision has sparked a legal battle, with the conservative watchdog group, Judicial Watch, filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense, seeking clarity on the matter [2].
The controversy surrounding the West Point Bible crest stems from concerns about the potential secularization of military institutions and the removal of explicit religious symbols from official materials [1][2]. The specific reason for the removal remains unclear, but such actions are often associated with efforts to maintain the separation of church and state.
Historically, the combination of religious content or symbols with military material has faced opposition. In 2012, all four branches of the military withdrew approval for a military series of Holman Christian Standard Bibles due to concerns that the series implied the Bible served as the official religious text of the military services [1].
The West Point Bible crest controversy has been a subject of debate under both the Trump and Biden administrations. During the Trump administration, there were attempts to reaffirm religious symbols and expressions in military contexts, reflecting a more religiously inclusive stance towards Christian traditions in the armed forces [1][2]. However, under the Biden administration, there seems to have been a reversal or renewed controversy about the crest’s removal, with conservative groups like Judicial Watch alleging ongoing censorship, prompting legal action for transparency and potential restoration of the crest in chapel Bibles [1][2].
Judicial Watch's lawsuit was filed due to concerns that the military academy may be seeking to eliminate ties with "traditional values." The group's President, Tom Fitton, praised the Army and West Point for honoring God and stated that their lawsuit exposing corruption can fix corruption [1].
The Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, has ordered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to restore the school's crest on the Bibles at the West Point Cadet Chapel [1]. The graduation ceremony for the United States Military Academy took place at West Point in Michie Stadium on May 24, 2025, but the restoration of the crest has yet to be implemented [1].
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for West Point confirmed that the chapel's Bibles now bear the inscription "The United States Military Academy, West Point, New York" [1]. A spokesperson for West Point declined to provide further comment on the matter to our website, Digital.
Diana Stancy, a politics reporter with Digital, covers the White House. West Point is one of several U.S. military academies that train students to become military officers. The ongoing legal battle surrounding the West Point Bible crest is a significant issue, with implications for the role of religion in the military and the balance between religious expression and the separation of church and state.
[1] - [Source Link 1] [2] - [Source Link 2]
The West Point Bible crest controversy, a contentious issue under both the Trump and Biden administrations, has been associated with debates on the role of religion in the military and the balance between religious expression and the separation of church and state. Judicial Watch's lawsuit, filed due to concerns of elimination of traditional values, seeks clarity and potentially restoration of the crest in chapel Bibles.
