President Joe Biden released a statement Wednesday committing to further advancing diversity at "every level of the Department of Defense, including at the highest levels of leadership."
The president's Wednesday statement commemorated the 75th anniversary of the signing of President Harry Truman's executive order desegregating the armed forces after World War II.
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"This landmark Order, issued more than a decade before the passage of the Civil Rights Act, directed the military to ensure the 'equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin,'" Biden wrote. "It was a vital step forward for our nation. It recognized the equal bravery and equal sacrifices of generations of service members of color who deserved to be equally honored."
The president highlighted the contributions of black service members throughout U.S. history, including black regiments who fought for the Union in the Civil War, the Harlem Hellfighters, and the Tuskegee Airmen.
"Today, more than 40 percent of active-duty service members are people of color. Yet, despite this growing diversity, service members of color still face unacceptable barriers," Biden continued. "They are underrepresented in positions of senior leadership, face bias in the military justice system, and are still more likely to be dishonorably discharged. We owe it to them and the entire force to continue working to build a military where equal dignity and equal respect are fully realized."
The president specifically called advancing equity throughout the military a personal "priority," both for him and his "entire administration."
"America’s greatest strength has always been our diversity, and there is no greater testament to this than the success of our military. Let us continue to break down barriers so that all qualified servicemembers, no matter their race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious background, are treated with dignity and respect, can reach their full potential and have their contributions valued," he said. "That is how we will ensure the United States Armed Forces remains the greatest fighting force in the history of the world."
Earlier this week, Biden designated three sites as part of a new Emmett Till national memorial, but the president is also facing growing concerns among black voters, a key demographic, heading into the 2024 election cycle.
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A May poll from Ipsos and the Washington Post showed that just 34% of black Americans believe that Biden's agenda has helped their community. Nearly a majority of black respondents said his policies have had no impact, and 14% say the president's agenda is harming black people.
And a poll conducted by YouGov and the Economist found that only 46% of black respondents wanted Biden to seek a second term, compared to 56% of all Democrats.