President Donald Trump has nominated his close allies to serve on the board of visitors for the U.S. Naval Academy, following the dismissal of the previous board. Among the nominees is Walt Nauta, a Navy veteran and former body man for Trump. Nauta was federally indicted in the past in a classified documents case alongside the president.
Recent Nominations and Changes
In addition to Nauta, Trump has nominated other prominent figures including his former press secretary Sean Spicer, former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), also known as “Doc Ronny,” and former Navy SEAL Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.). These nominations come after the dismissal of the board of visitors for the Naval Academy, as well as for the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard earlier this year. The advisory panels provided oversight for various programs and student life at the military academies.
Administration Shifts
It’s worth noting that the Biden administration had also made changes in 2021, removing former Trump appointees from various positions. Trump’s decision to overhaul the service academy boards was part of his broader efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, including those within the military. He expressed concerns about the influence of what he called “Woke Leftist Ideologues” in these institutions.
Continued Support
Despite the legal issues in the past, charges against Nauta were dismissed after Trump assumed office. Nauta continues to work for the president and was recently spotted accompanying him on a trip. Beyond the service academy boards, Trump has also made changes to other boards, such as the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center in Washington, appointing individuals from diverse backgrounds.
In his latest announcement, Trump praised the nominees as an “incredible group of patriots” who would contribute to the continued success of the Academy.
