West Point, the renowned military academy, recently attempted to offer a position to Jen Easterly, a Biden administration alumna and former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency. However, the appointment was instantly met with pushback. The objection came from Laura Loomer, known for her far-right persuasions, who has gained considerable clout in decisions related to national security during President Trump’s second term.
The selection of Easterly, who has also worked for George W. Bush’s national security adviser, was aimed for a distinguished role in the academy’s department of social sciences. Nonetheless, the decision faced immediate cancellation prompted by the seemingly continuous intervention of Pentagon leadership in the affairs of U.S. military academies, a decision that conscientious sectors viewed with skepticism.
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll took to social media to recommend that West Point retract its proposal to Easterly. Such a move essentially delivered a blow to the Biden administration’s limited influence in the recruitment processes at the military academy. The order, which echoed far and wide, was seen by some critics as pushing an unspoken agenda under the garb of ensuring meritocratic practices.
Easterly’s appointment was marked by Driscoll with a formal announcement on social media. However, he made a complete U-turn, instructing West Point to disregard his former recommendation. He disclosed that he had instructed the Academy to reverse its previous decision of appointing Easterly, yet another direct blow to Biden’s administration.
Interestingly, Easterly, who worked under Condoleezza Rice during the Bush administration, appeared to have the qualifications for the role in the social sciences department. Nonetheless, her connections to the Biden administration seemingly tainted her credibility, ultimately leading to Driscoll’s withdrawal of his initial support.
West Point’s initial communication regarding Easterly’s appointment quickly faced criticism from Loomer. The far-right character has previously played a consequential role in matters related to national security. Loomer’s influence appears to be continually expanding, even nudging official decisions made by such esteemed establishments as West Point.
In response to the controversy, Driscoll issued a new memo addressing employment decisions at West Point. He declared the termination of the ‘gratuitous service agreement’ with Ms. Jen Easterly. He emphatically stated that Easterly would no longer fill the distinguished post in the social sciences department.
Driscoll’s intervention didn’t stop at this point. He proceeded to demand a ‘top-down review’ of the Academy’s hiring practices – a move perhaps aimed at further diminishing the influence of the Biden administration and his allies.
The nullification of Easterly’s appointment signifies an ongoing struggle within the Pentagon against those perceived to be political opponents. The repeated interferences in staffing decisions by Pentagon leadership seem to function as a reminder of the strong political currents that often overshadow meritocracy.
Earlier this month, another incident arose where a seasoned Army officer faced promotion denial. Mr. Hegseth refused to move Lt. Gen. Douglas A Sims II up the ranks, simply due to his allegedly close relations with Gen. Mark A. Milley, a former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman and a known adversary of President Trump.
These decisions highlight an uncomfortable politicization of the military and academic institutions. A prominent example emerged in May when Graham Parsons, a tenured professor at West Point, alleged that the academy was allowing the Trump administration to dictate its academic curriculum.
The military academies have shown signs of retracting from promoting themes related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In an ostensible effort to uphold the preferences of the Trump administration, notable texts related to these topics have been withdrawn from academy libraries.
Hence, the rescission of Easterly’s appointment at West Point merely emerges as the latest incident where partisan politics seem to have intruded on administrative decisions and academic directions.
Furthermore, the stances adopted by figures like Army Secretary Driscoll and influencer Laura Loomer, add weight to the view that political alignment, rather than merit, is unduly influencing processes within the esteemed walls of the military academy.
Indeed, the events surrounding Easterly’s rescinded appointment and other recent incidents paint a picture of a battlefield where political affiliations overshadow qualifications and experience. The implications on the future of these institutions and the nation as a whole are a matter of grave concern for many.
The post Biden’s Lack of Influence Revealed as West Point Rescinds Offer to His Alumna appeared first on Real News Now.
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