A federal district court upheld the U.S. Naval Academy‘s use of race-conscious admissions policies on Friday, rejecting a challenge brought by the same group that succeeded in the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision striking down affirmative action in higher education.

U.S. Senior District Judge Richard Bennett, nominated by former President George W. Bush, ruled that the academy’s policies serve a “compelling national security interest” by fostering a diverse officer corps for the Navy and Marine Corps, according to a lengthy 179-page decision.