MLB removes references to "diversity" from careers home page

The big picture: Trump's Justice Department is using a broad reinterpretation of Civil Rights-era laws to focus on "anti-white racism" rather than discrimination against people of color.

Zoom in: The removal of the references was first reported by the website cupofcoffeenews.com and confirmed by The Associated Press.

• The change appears to affect MLB's Diversity Pipeline Program, which Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred launched in 2016.

What they're saying: "Our values on diversity remain unchanged," MLB said in a statement Friday, per the AP.

• "We are in the process of evaluating our programs for any modifications to eligibility criteria that are needed to ensure our programs are compliant with federal law as they continue forward."
• He said the change came after an owners' meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, last month.

Zoom out: The removal came days after the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs kicked off the major league season this week in Tokyo and as MLB's official Opening Day is scheduled for Thursday.

• It also comes amid an expected travel ban by the Trump administration on more than three dozen countries. The ban could prevent some MLB players from Cuba and Venezuela from coming into — or leaving — the U.S.

The intrigue: MLB is also preparing to mark its annual Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, when every player and on-field personnel will wear his No. 42 during scheduled games.

• The U.S. Department of Defense removed — then restored — a webpage featuring Robinson, who served in the Army during World War II and segregation.
• The initial removal of Robinson's Army history comes amid a massive purge of articles about soldiers of color following Trump's executive order ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.