MALC Urges Trump Administration to Reverse Decision to Erase Fort Cavazos

AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urging them to reverse the administration’s decision to rename Fort Cavazos, one of Texas’ most prominent military bases, and reinstate the name of a Confederate general.

Fort Cavazos was renamed in 2023 following a formal, bipartisan process led by the federal Naming Commission to better reflect the values of today’s Armed Forces. The name honors General Richard E. Cavazos, a decorated Texas native and the first Latino four-star general in U.S. history. General Cavazos, who passed away in 2017, was awarded the Medal of Honor earlier this year for his heroism during the Korean War.

“Fort Cavazos doesn’t just honor a general, it honors the generations of Latino families who’ve served this country with pride,” said MALC Chairman Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr. “The decision to rename Fort Cavazos disrespects their legacy. Erasing his name to glorify a Confederate general sends a chilling message about whose service matters in this country.”

Latinos make up nearly 20 percent of the U.S. Armed Forces. For many Texans, particularly those from families with generations of military service, the name Fort Cavazos represents long-overdue recognition of their contributions to this country.

MALC urges the Trump Administration to reverse course and preserve the name Fort Cavazos in honor of General Cavazos’s legacy, and the values and diversity that define today’s military.

For the full letter, you may find it here. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jackie Arias-Bryant at jackie@malc.org or (956) 588-5243.