{"id":2578411,"date":"2026-03-11T01:39:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-appoints-erika-kirk-to-air-force-academy-board-position\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T01:40:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:40:25","slug":"trump-appoints-erika-kirk-to-air-force-academy-board-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-appoints-erika-kirk-to-air-force-academy-board-position\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump appoints Erika Kirk to Air Force Academy board position"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-appoints-erika-kirk-to-air-force-academy-board-position%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2578411&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>President Donald Trump appointed Erika Kirk,teh widow of Charlie Kirk,to the United States Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. Her name appeared on the Academy\u2019s website, and she succeeds her late husband, who had served on the board and was assassinated in September 2025. The board is composed of members appointed by the President and by congressional leaders, and it oversees areas such as morale, discipline, curriculum, and finances, with appointments made independently and reported to the Secretaries of War and the Air Force. the White House praised Erika Kirk\u2019s selection, while the Air Force Academy stated that it does not influence or take positions on appointees.Erika Kirk previously led Turning Point USA,and Charlie Kirk\u2019s involvement with the board included inquiries about the academy\u2019s programs and compliance with executive orders related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White ... Releases List of ... ...\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">critical race theory<\/a> and diversity initiatives. The piece also references minutes from recent meetings honoring Charlie Kirk and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >includes related recommended stories<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump appoints Erika Kirk to Air Force Academy board position<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2528610\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> appointed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/erika-kirk\/\">Erika Kirk<\/a>, widow of slain conservative activist and Turning Point USA CEO <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/charlie-kirk\/\">Charlie Kirk<\/a>, to the United States Air Force Academy&rsquo;s Board of Visitors. It is unknown when the appointment occurred, but her name was discovered on the Air Force Academy&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usafa.edu\/about\/bov\/\">website<\/a> on Tuesday. Charlie Kirk had previously been appointed to the same Board in 2025 and remained on it until his assassination in September.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Board inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider,&rdquo; noted the Air Force Academy <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usafa.edu\/about\/bov\/\">website<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4487059\/9th-circuit-first-grader-free-speech-rights-blm-drawing\/\">9th Circuit upholds first grader&#8217;s free speech rights in &#8216;black lives matter&#8217; drawing case<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4487649\/bennie-thompson-democratic-primary-mississippi-house\/\">Bennie Thompson easily wins Democratic primary for Mississippi House seat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4487627\/harris-fuller-runoff-georgia-special-election-mtg-seat\/\">Harris and Fuller advance to runoff in Georgia special election to fill MTG&#8217;s House seat<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The Board consists of six members appointed by the President, two designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one designated by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, one each designated by the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, two designated by the Majority Leader of the Senate, two designated by the Minority Leader of the Senate, and one each designated by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee,&rdquo; read an explanation on the Air Force Academy website regarding how members of the Board are selected.<\/p>\n<p>Kirk&rsquo;s name was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usafa.edu\/about\/bov\/\">listed<\/a> among those selected by Trump, along with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), author and motivational speaker Dan Clark, retired <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/air-force\/\">Air Force<\/a> Colonel Doug Nikolai, and former Bush and Trump administration official Dina Powell.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;President Trump made the perfect choice in appointing Erika Kirk to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors,&rdquo; said Olivia Wales, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/politics\/executive\/white-house\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White House<\/a> spokeswoman, Fox News Digital reported.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Air Force Academy <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2026\/03\/10\/trump-appoints-erika-kirk-air-force-academy-board-charlie\/89081470007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">issued<\/a> a statement explaining that it does not influence the selection of the Board of Visitors, nor does it take a position on appointees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In accordance with federal law, Board appointments are made independently by the President of the United States and congressional leaders in both the House and Senate, and the Board provides reports and recommendations to the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Air Force,&rdquo; read the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2026\/03\/10\/trump-appoints-erika-kirk-air-force-academy-board-charlie\/89081470007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Wales lauded Erika Kirk&rsquo;s selection to the Board, stating that her selection would continue her husband&rsquo;s legacy and work. She added that Erika would be a &ldquo;fearless advocate&rdquo; for the Air Force Academy&rsquo;s mission.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Charlie Kirk served proudly on the Board, inspiring not only the next generation of servicemembers, but millions around the world with his bold Christian faith, defense of the truth, and deep love of country,&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/trump-appoints-charlie-kirks-widow-erika-air-force-academy-board-visitors\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> Wales. &ldquo;Erika Kirk will continue his legacy, and will be a fearless advocate for the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-appoints-erika-kirk-to-board-position-previously-held-by-charlie\/\" title=\"... to ... ... Previously Held by Charlie\">elite airpower force<\/a> in the history of the world whose warriors keep our Nation safe, strong, and free.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Erika Kirk succeeded her late husband as CEO of Turning Point USA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Charlie Kirk was present at the Air Force Academy&rsquo;s last board meeting before his assassination in August 2025, according to the official minutes of the meeting. He was noted as inquiring about the effectiveness of the Air Force Academy&rsquo;s &ldquo;4-class system.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4479446\/us-war-iran-military-numbers\/\"><strong>THE US CONFLICT IN IRAN BY THE NUMBERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In another section of the minutes, Kirk inquired if the Air Force Academy was adhering to President Donald Trump&rsquo;s executive orders on removing critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usafa.edu\/app\/uploads\/Minutes-USAFA-BoV-Committee-Meeting-07-Aug-25_Signed.pdf\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wondered<\/a> how the Academy was &ldquo;ensuring compliance with the faculty to ensure USAFA doesn&rsquo;t push the worldview of oppression, oppressor\/oppressed dynamics, anti-western, anti-American, and gender ideology.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>At the Board&rsquo;s meeting in December, the first after Kirk&rsquo;s murder, Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), chairman of the Board of Visitors, made a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usafa.edu\/app\/uploads\/Minutes-USAFA-BoV-Committee-Meeting-08-Dec-25_Signed.pdf\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement<\/a> honoring Charlie Kirk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Mr. Kirk was a Presidential Appointee on the USAFA Board of Visitors and a cherished friend of Congressman Pfluger,&rdquo; read the minutes from the December meeting. &ldquo;The Board remembers Charlie&rsquo;s commitment to advancing the Air Force Academy and inspiring the next generation of service members. The entire Board was honored to serve alongside him, and all of America mourns his passing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump names Erika Kirk to USAF Academy Board<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2578412,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25287766072035.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[43548,50058,63117,5894,3634],"class_list":["post-2578411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-air-force-academy","tag-board-appointment","tag-erika-kirk","tag-politics","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25287766072035.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2578411"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2578415,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578411\/revisions\/2578415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2578412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2578411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2578411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2578411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}