In February 2025, President Donald Trump dismissed the boards of several military academies, claiming they had been infiltrated by leftist 'woke' ideologies. This action included the boards of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard academies. Trump stated that his goal was to ensure the military academies embrace conservative values and return to their former glory, which he characterized as being compromised under previous administrations.

Among the new appointees, Erika Kirk, the widow of prominent conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, has been selected to join the board of the Air Force Academy. The appointment is seen as Trump’s continued alignment with his political supporters from the alt-right and his efforts to reshape military education in alignment with conservative ideals. The move has sparked discussions regarding the politicization of military institutions and their governance.

This development follows President Joe Biden's previous actions in 2021, where he removed Trump supporters from similar boards, citing concerns over qualifications and expertise. The ongoing back-and-forth between administrations reflects a larger cultural battle within the United States regarding the direction of military education and its alignment with American values as defined by each party.