Trump Orders Mass Purge of 'Woke' Military Academy Boards

Paul Riverbank, 2/11/2025In an unprecedented move, Trump has ordered a complete overhaul of service academy advisory boards, citing concerns over "woke ideology." This sweeping directive affects all major military academies and follows recent controversial changes at West Point, marking another chapter in America's ongoing cultural debates within military institutions.

The sweeping directive, announced through Trump's Truth Social platform, targets the boards of visitors at all major service academies — including the Naval, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Military academies. These boards, traditionally composed of a bipartisan mix of presidential appointees and congressional representatives, serve as crucial oversight bodies for academic programs and student life.

"Our Service Academies have been infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues over the last four years," Trump declared in his characteristic style, promising to "make the Military Academies GREAT AGAIN!"

The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy, coming on the heels of West Point's recent decision to disband twelve cultural and gender-focused affinity groups — a move aligned with Trump's broader executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal institutions.

Among those affected by this sweeping change are several high-profile board members, including Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth and John S. McCain IV — son of the late Senator John McCain. The Naval Academy's board also includes prominent figures such as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.

The move — while unprecedented in its scope — isn't without historical parallel. President Biden executed a similar purge of service academy boards upon taking office in 2021, highlighting how these educational institutions have increasingly become battlegrounds in America's cultural debates.

What remains unclear, however, is the specific nature of the "leftist" policies Trump seeks to address. While the former president has promised that "we will have the strongest Military in History," he has yet to detail his plans for new appointments or outline specific reforms beyond the broad strokes of his announcement.

The Naval Academy has responded to these developments with measured caution, indicating its commitment to implementing executive orders in alignment with Department of Defense and Department of the Navy guidelines. The institution is currently reviewing all clubs and extracurricular activities — a process that could signal further changes ahead.

This latest development represents more than just an administrative shuffle — it marks another significant front in the ongoing debate over the role of diversity and traditional values in military education. As these institutions navigate these choppy waters, the impact of these changes on military readiness and leadership development remains to be seen.

In a dramatic shift that signals potential changes in military education leadership, former President Donald Trump has ordered the wholesale dismissal of advisory boards overseeing America's prestigious service academies — a move that echoes through the halls of institutions from West Point to Annapolis.The sweeping directive, announced through Trump's Truth Social platform, targets the boards of visitors at all major service academies — including the Naval, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Military academies. These boards, traditionally composed of a bipartisan mix of presidential appointees and congressional representatives, serve as crucial oversight bodies for academic programs and student life."Our Service Academies have been infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues over the last four years," Trump declared in his characteristic style, promising to "make the Military Academies GREAT AGAIN!"The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy, coming on the heels of West Point's recent decision to disband twelve cultural and gender-focused affinity groups — a move aligned with Trump's broader executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal institutions.Among those affected by this sweeping change are several high-profile board members, including Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth and John S. McCain IV — son of the late Senator John McCain. The Naval Academy's board also includes prominent figures such as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.The move — while unprecedented in its scope — isn't without historical parallel. President Biden executed a similar purge of service academy boards upon taking office in 2021, highlighting how these educational institutions have increasingly become battlegrounds in America's cultural debates.What remains unclear, however, is the specific nature of the "leftist" policies Trump seeks to address. While the former president has promised that "we will have the strongest Military in History," he has yet to detail his plans for new appointments or outline specific reforms beyond the broad strokes of his announcement.The Naval Academy has responded to these developments with measured caution, indicating its commitment to implementing executive orders in alignment with Department of Defense and Department of the Navy guidelines. The institution is currently reviewing all clubs and extracurricular activities — a process that could signal further changes ahead.This latest development represents more than just an administrative shuffle — it marks another significant front in the ongoing debate over the role of diversity and traditional values in military education. As these institutions navigate these choppy waters, the impact of these changes on military readiness and leadership development remains to be seen.