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Efforts to undermine “so-called” judges or members of the U.S. Trump’s frequent willingness to subvert the courts and federal agencies was difficult to explain to my cadets, who, like those hearing cases and implementing policy, were called to a life of public service.
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We start the course by examining the formal institutions of American government, lessons that focus on the courts, bureaucratic politics, and the presidency itself. It certainly worried me as I taught cadets over the last year. Trump’s frequent willingness to undermine American institutions and his politicization of the military should worry all Americans. Having set aside the uniform, I worry that President Donald Trump’s actions will undoubtedly complicate the future careers of cadets I taught. As a former Army officer, I was proud of the professional, apolitical approach my colleagues and I brought to the study of American politics. While my colleagues and I were ever-mindful to check our individual political opinions at the door upon entering the classroom, we often found ourselves devoting attention to how we would address the president’s latest outburst or myriad scandals plaguing the administration.īeyond the constant rants launched by the president were actions that worried me far more. Sadly, what complicated our discussions of news driving the day was the commander in chief himself. Subjects provided to cadets throughout the course are frequently reinforced by discussions of current events, and for good reason: Men and women entering the military must understand the world around them and the society they serve. While teaching cadets at West Point will remain one of the great privileges of my life, it often involved navigating treacherous partisan minefields. Unlike their peers at civilian institutions, apprehension over our current political discourse is tempered by the fact that cadets will soon find themselves in service to a nation whose social fabric appears to be fraying.
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Over the last year, the young men and women streaming into my class did so during a period of political disarray, eschewing normal college life for military service. They also take a class on American politics, a course that I recently had the privilege of teaching.
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Between physics and survival swimming, they have a full schedule. Shifting under an unexpected burden and in hushed tones the question finally presented itself: What if I cannot accept a commission into the Army under this president?Ĭadets at West Point are a dedicated group. The cadet standing before me was sharp, if sometimes subdued during our discussions. After class, surrounded by the same dusty chalkboards I used as a cadet years ago, I quickly realized something was wrong.