President Donald Trump is set to deliver the commencement address to the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy this Saturday amid a backdrop of significant changes and controversies surrounding military academies’ diversity and inclusion initiatives. This year’s speech is poised to highlight the administration’s broader effort to reshape military education and leadership in line with new policies that have sparked both support and criticism nationwide.
Since returning to office, President Trump, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has pursued an aggressive rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across military academies. These efforts include the disbanding of various student clubs related to race and gender, the removal of hundreds of books addressing diversity and systemic racism from military libraries, and the overhaul of advisory boards at service academies.
In February 2025, shortly after Hegseth’s Senate confirmation, West Point took decisive action by disbanding several student organizations, including the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the Latin Cultural Club, and the Native American Heritage Forum. A memo, obtained by major news outlets, revealed that these moves aligned with recent Presidential Executive Orders and Department of Defense directives intended to refocus military education away from what the administration terms “woke” ideologies.
This comes alongside President Trump’s dismissal of the boards of visitors to the military academies earlier in the year, citing unsubstantiated claims that the schools had been “infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues.” These boards, composed of civilian advisors, traditionally play a key role in overseeing academy policies and curricula.
The controversy intensified when, earlier this year, the Pentagon issued a memo ordering the removal of books that touch on diversity, race, and gender issues from U.S. Naval Academy libraries. Approximately 381 books were initially removed, many authored by Black writers or covering historical racial injustices. The order mandated military branches to identify and purge materials deemed inconsistent with the new policy. After public backlash and internal review, nearly all but 20 of the books were reinstated.
Former West Point instructors, military veterans, and academics have strongly criticized these policies, arguing that banning discussions on race, gender, and critical theories undermines the core educational mission of the academies. In a guest essay published in the New York Times, West Point professor Graham Parsons condemned the administration’s actions as “brazen demands to indoctrinate, not educate,” emphasizing that students should confront and debate challenging ideas rather than having them censored.
Parsons argued that critical engagement with controversial topics is essential for developing well-rounded leaders capable of understanding complex social issues and leading diverse forces. This critique echoes broader concerns about the implications of these policies on military readiness and morale.
Amid this climate, two protests have been scheduled to coincide with the commencement ceremony. One demonstration will take place outside West Point’s gates, while another will unfold on the Hudson River, featuring protestors on boats. Organizers cite the ongoing dismantling of DEI programs as central to their message, highlighting the potential harm to the institution’s values and educational standards.
Despite these tensions, the Trump administration continues to promote its military policies and engagement. Earlier this month, the President hosted a gathering of military mothers at the White House alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance in celebration of Mother’s Day. The event showcased the administration’s commitment to honoring service members and their families.
Looking ahead, President Trump has announced plans to host a military parade in Washington, D.C., as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations. The event aims to honor veterans, active-duty personnel, wounded warriors, and Gold Star families while underscoring the legacy of the U.S. Army and projecting American patriotism into the future.
Trump’s connection to West Point is longstanding. He previously addressed the academy’s graduating class in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That speech was notable not only for its content but also for public speculation about the President’s health, as he appeared to move slowly and had difficulty drinking water while speaking. Trump later dismissed these concerns on social media, attributing any difficulties to the steep, slippery ramp he had to descend after the ceremony.
The 2025 commencement address is expected to focus heavily on the administration’s vision for a military that prioritizes discipline, unity, and a return to traditional values over what it characterizes as politically motivated agendas. Defense Secretary Hegseth has echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of clear mission objectives and rejecting “undefined” conflicts associated with previous administrations.
As the academy prepares for the ceremony, the nation watches closely. The event is not only a rite of passage for future military leaders but also a reflection of the evolving relationship between the military, politics, and societal values. The speech will likely reinforce themes of patriotism and service while reinforcing the administration’s stance on reshaping the military academy culture.
The discourse surrounding diversity initiatives, educational content, and military leadership remains a flashpoint, with strong opinions on both sides. Supporters argue that these changes restore focus and operational effectiveness, while critics warn of the risks of suppressing dialogue and failing to prepare officers for the realities of a diverse and complex world.
Whatever the outcome, President Trump’s role as commencement speaker ensures that this year’s West Point graduation will be one of the most closely analyzed and debated in recent memory. The intersection of politics and military education is under the spotlight, highlighting broader national conversations about identity, values, and the future of American service.
As graduates receive their diplomas and prepare to lead, the echoes of these debates will undoubtedly shape their careers and the military’s role in society for years to come. The 2025 West Point commencement will be remembered not only for the individuals it honors but also for the ideological crossroads it represents in America’s military history.
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