Commandant cites Trump orders
West Point on Tuesday (Feb. 4) banned clubs for females and minority cadets in response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders closing federal diversity programs and initiatives, according to a memo obtained by The Washington Post.
Col. Chad Foster, the deputy commandant, cited Trump’s orders and guidance from the Defense Department and Army in ordering 12 clubs to disband, cancel events, meetings and trips and “unpublish, deactivate, archive or otherwise remove all public-facing content.”
Among the clubs are chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers, and clubs formed for Asian, Native American and Vietnamese American cadets.
Other clubs will undergo a review by the Directorate of Cadet Activities to “ensure that they are aligned” with the president’s orders, the memo said. West Point said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb. 5) that “more than 100 clubs remain at the U.S. Military Academy, and our leadership will continue to provide opportunities for cadets to pursue their academic, military and physical fitness interests.”
Highland Falls, Garrison and Cold Spring neighbors (businesses, religious institutions, public spaces) should offer the West Point cadets places to meet and hospitality. Freedom of assembly isn’t lost for students. [via Facebook]