Bipartisan outrage after U.S. Army removes Fort Johnson webpage amid Trump DEI ban

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — ALBANY, N.Y. – A fight over history is unfolding in Albany as local and state leaders from both sides of the aisle call out the Trump administration for what they say is an attempt to erase the heroic legacy of Henry Johnson—a World War I hero, Albany native, and Medal of Honor recipient.

The controversy erupted after a U.S. Army webpage about a military base renamed in Johnson’s honor was quietly removed.

In 2023, Louisiana’s then-Fort Polk, named after a Confederate general, was renamed Fort Johnson. Now, the U.S. Army webpage recognizing that tribute is gone, replaced with the words “404 PAGE NOT FOUND.”

A banner at the top of the page reads “Archived historical content from culturally-focused Army websites is under review for compliance with Executive and OSD policy. Content will be reposted after the review.”

The page’s removal follows executive orders by President Donald Trump that ended federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Some lawmakers argue that these policies are now impacting accurate historical representation.

Now, on Medal of Honor Day, officials gathered in Albany’s Washington Park in front of the Henry Johnson monument to call on the Trump administration to reinstate the webpage.

“It’s unconscionable what’s happening right now—to think that a man who gave so much for his country, we’re going to take this little piece away,” said Republican State Senator Jake Ashby (R-43rd District).

Henry Johnson, a member of the legendary Harlem Hellfighters, became a national hero after his courageous actions on the battlefield in 1918. While stationed in France, Johnson single-handedly fought off a German attack, saving a fellow soldier’s life despite suffering 21 wounds.

His bravery was widely recognized abroad—France awarded him the Croix de Guerre, its highest military honor—but in the United States, he was denied military honors for decades due to racial discrimination.

His discharge records did not mention his debilitating injuries so he was denied disability allowance. He returned home to Albany and resumed his job as a porter at the train station, but was unable to hold a steady job due to his injuries and lack of education. Johnson was reportedly destitute when he died in 1929 in his 30’s.

Decades later, in 1996, he was awarded the Purple Heart, and then posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002.

In 2015, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military distinction.

Then, in 2023, Fort Polk in Louisiana was renamed Fort Johnson in his honor.

But now, the Army’s webpage acknowledging that tribute has disappeared, and local leaders say they fear history is repeating itself.

There’s now a bipartisan push to protect Johnson’s legacy.

“It should be alarming to everybody. I urge the Trump administration to go back and put this back up. This is a hero,” Sen. Ashby added.

“It took decades of work to right a wrong in recognizing his extraordinary valor. Now, here we are again, trying to make sure another wrong isn’t inflicted on him,” said State Senator Pat Fahy (D-46th District).

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan also called for the page’s restoration, saying, “We stand here almost 107 years to the day since the battle of Henry Johnson and watch in disbelief as the Trump administration works to erase his heroism.”

CBS6 has reached out to the White House and the Department of Defense for comment on why the webpage was taken down and whether it will be restored. So far, no response has been given.