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

President Donald Trump has taken a bold step in dismissing members of the Board of Visitors for each of the U.S. military service academies. This move, announced on social media, impacts the Boards of Visitors for the U.S. Army Academy (West Point), the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy. These boards play a crucial role in influencing and maintaining the curriculum and culture at these prestigious institutions.

The composition of the boards includes appointees from various sources, with six members chosen 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. It is not immediately clear whether Trump’s order dismisses all members of the boards or only those who are presidential appointees.

In his statement, Trump expressed concern about what he perceives as the infiltration of “Woke Leftist Ideologues” in the service academies over the past four years. He emphasized the need to appoint new individuals to these boards to ensure that the military academies maintain their excellence. This decision aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to combat “woke” influences within the federal government, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leading the charge to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the Pentagon and the armed forces.

Hegseth recently announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s DOGE to streamline processes and cut unnecessary spending at the Department of Defense. This collaboration aims to optimize the agency’s budget and ensure responsible use of resources in a time when the country faces significant financial challenges.

Since assuming leadership at the DOD last month, Hegseth has been implementing reforms to reverse Biden-era policies, including DEI initiatives within the agency. His focus on cost-cutting and efficiency has been a central theme of his tenure, reflecting a broader commitment to ensuring the strength and effectiveness of America’s military.

As the administration continues to reshape military policy and leadership, the impact of these changes on the service academies and the armed forces as a whole remains to be seen. Trump’s dismissal of the Board of Visitors members signals a significant shift in the oversight and direction of these institutions, setting the stage for a new chapter in the evolution of the U.S. military.