On March 17, Trump announced the appointment of several right-wing allies to be appointed to the boards of visitors at the nation’s military academies.
The appointees are as listed:
West Point Board of Visitors:
- Mike Flynn. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents and was a foreign agent for Turkey and Russia
- Representative Wesley Hunt
- Maj. Gen. David Bellavia
- Lt. Gen. Dan Walrath
- Meaghan Mobbs
- Maureen Bannon. Maureen is the daughter of Steve Bannon, Trump’s staunch political ally, podcaster, and former White House chief strategist during the first Trump term
Air Force Academy Board of Visitors:
- Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a right-wing activist who co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), has no relevant military history or experience
- Senator Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville jeopardized American national security and its military might when he delayed several military promotions
- Col. Doug Nikolai
- Dina Powell
Naval Academy Board of Visitors:
- Walt Nauta. Nauta is a personal aide to Trump who was indicted over Trump’s mishandling of classified information at Mar-a-Lago and The Bedminster Club. Trump has rewarded Nauta’s loyalty with this position at the Naval Academy Board of Visitors
- Senator Tim Sheehy
- Rep. Ronny Jackson
- Rep. Derrick Van Orden
- Former Georgia state Rep. Earl Ehrhart
- Former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer
The boards occupy a vital position in each of the military branch’s institutes.
The boards of visitors provide guidance and oversight of each military institute’s morale, financial state and academics and provide an annual report to the president.
The Hill
These appointments, based on political favoritism and rewarded to several figures who lack relevant military experience, can be harmful to the quality of the annual report to the President, and to each of the military’s institutes as a whole.
