Former President Donald Trump announced the dismissal of the Boards of Visitors for all four U.S. military academies – the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard – citing concerns about "woke leftist ideologues." Trump shared the decision on social media, stating his intention to appoint new members and restore the academies to greatness.

These boards play a crucial role in shaping the curriculum and culture at each academy. Members are appointed by various figures, including the president, the Speaker of the House, the vice president, and the House and Senate Armed Services committees. It remains unclear whether Trump's order applies to all board members or just those he appointed.

This action follows other efforts by the Trump administration to counter what they perceive as "woke" influences within the federal government. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been a prominent voice in this movement, pledging to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the Pentagon and the armed forces.

Hegseth also expressed support for incorporating Elon Musk's DOGE cryptocurrency technology into the Department of Defense to improve efficiency and redirect funds towards warfighters. He emphasized the need for responsible spending within the department's substantial budget.

Hegseth's appointment as Defense Secretary followed a tied Senate confirmation vote, broken by Vice President JD Vance. He has since initiated significant policy changes, notably targeting DEI initiatives.