Trump says he ordered firing of military academies’ Board of Visitors

President Trump Dismisses Members of Military Academy Boards, Citing "Woke Ideologues"

In a significant move, former President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is dismissing members of the Boards of Visitors for each of the U.S. military service academies. The decision affects the Boards of Visitors for West Point (U.S. Army Academy), the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy. These boards play a crucial role in shaping the curriculum and culture at the academies, making this a notable step in Trump’s efforts to influence the direction of the military under his administration.

The composition of the Boards of Visitors is diverse, with appointments made by various branches of government. Each board includes six members appointed by the president, four by the Speaker of the House, three by the vice president, and one each from the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. However, the White House did not clarify whether Trump’s order applies to all members of the boards or only those appointed by the president. This ambiguity has left some questions unanswered, particularly regarding the fate of non-presidential appointees.

In a social media post, Trump emphasized his rationale for the dismissals, stating, "Our Service Academies have been infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues over the last four years. I have ordered the immediate dismissal of the Board of Visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. We will have the strongest Military in History, and that begins by appointing new individuals to these Boards. We must make the Military Academies GREAT AGAIN!" This statement reflects Trump’s broader campaign to combat what he describes as "woke" influences within the federal government, including the military.

The decision is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to reshape the culture and policies within the Defense Department. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a vocal critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, has been at the forefront of these changes. Hegseth recently announced the creation of a task force aimed at abolishing DEI offices within the Pentagon, arguing that they promote "systemic racism." This move aligns with Trump’s vision of restoring what he perceives as the military’s former glory, unencumbered by progressive ideologies.

Hegseth’s leadership at the Defense Department has been marked by significant changes since his confirmation last month. Following a deadlocked Senate vote, Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, allowing Hegseth to take the helm. Since then, Hegseth has overseen the dismantling of several Biden-era policies, including DEI initiatives within the agency. He has also expressed support for integrating Elon Musk’s DOGE into the Defense Department, touting it as a way to streamline processes and optimize resource allocation.

In a recent appearance on Fox News’ "Sunday Morning Futures," Hegseth discussed the potential benefits of DOGE, stating, "We know in a world where America’s $37 trillion in debt, resources will not be unlimited, so every dollar we can find that isn’t being spent wisely is one we can put toward a warfighter, so we welcome DOGE at DOD." He emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility, particularly in light of the nation’s debt burden, and framed the partnership with DOGE as a long-overdue step toward modernizing the agency’s operations.

The announcements by Trump and Hegseth have sparked significant debate, with critics questioning the implications of these changes for the military’s readiness and inclusivity. The academies themselves declined to comment, deferring to the White House for further clarification. As the situation unfolds, the impact of these decisions on the future of the U.S. military and its service academies remains to be seen.