Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit on behalf of “Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services, Inc.” (STARRS) against the Department of Defense. Judicial Watch is asking for Air Force Academy records regarding alleged “systemic racism,” as well as other records related to the teaching of critical race theory at the Air Force Academy.

Judicial Watch filed suit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia after the Air Force refused to lawfully respond to two FOIA requests about its critical race theory materials.

In its complaint, Judicial Watch explained to the court that STARRS asked for records relating to a July 8, 2020, memorandum issued by the Air Force Academty superintendent which stated, in part, that: “[s]ystemic racism exists in our society, and our USAFA community is not immune.”

The memorandum also stated that there would be “an institutional assessment and review for biases within our policies, processes, practices, curriculum, and artifacts … [that] will be used to make tangible, lasting changes, and to inform future actions.”

Founded by a group of distinguished retired military officers, STARRS is concerned about efforts to teach and implement aspects of critical race theory in US military academies and throughout the Armed Forces. Critics of critical race theory say its teachings– including that all blacks are victims and all whites are oppressors– are racist.

STARRS has grown to 2,932 members, including general officers, service academy graduates, retired and active-duty officers and enlisted, and concerned civilians (https://www.starrs.us/).

According to STARRS’ Chairman of the Board, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, and the STARRS leadership team:

“The USAFA’s superintendent’s claim of systemic racism at the Academy did not comport with our experience.  So, we filed a FOIA request to learn more from the assessment he demanded.  This was not a complex request.  The continuing refusal to respond to this request speaks volumes.”

“Our military is being undermined from within as the rising leadership at the Air Force Academy attacks America and force feeds cadets repackaged Marxist anti-American critical race theory,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

In July 2022, Judicial Watch sued the Department of Defense for records related to theNaval Academy implementing critical race theory in the training of naval recruits.

In June, Judicial Watch received records revealing critical race theory instruction at the Military Academy at West Point.

Read more here about the STARRS v. DOD Air Force Academy case.