Key Highlights
- Measures before the Virginia Legislature, in response to allegations of systemic racism at the institution, could not only strip the oldest state-run military college in the nation of its independence, but also cut off funding it needs to exist. Last week, the Department of War, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, took to social media to back up VMI, writing that, "the stability of this proven leadership pipeline is a matter of direct national security interest" and that the department "reserves the right to take extraordinary measures to protect the integrity of VMI." VMI cadets are pushing back against Virginia Democrats’ proposed investigations, warning that the legislation could strip funding and threaten the survival of the historic military college.
- (Courtesy of VMI) Having spent some time this week in Lexington, Va., the mountainous home of VMI, it is clear that not only is the college a national treasure, it is very much a local one as well.
- HEGSETH ENDING MILITARY EDUCATION TIES WITH HARVARD AMID TRUMP FEUD: 'WE TRAIN WARRIORS, NOT WOKESTERS' "VMI is the beating heart of Lexington," Melinda, an educator who has lived in the town for decades, told me.
- "I can’t imagine the place without it."I met John, who graduated from VMI in the early 2000s and who said of the supposed racism and sexism, "the people who hate VMI just hate VMI because they think it represents the Confederacy." He insisted that allegations are overblown because every cadet lives by the same code of conduct.
- Even a group of anti-President Donald Trump protesters I ran into on chilly Friday afternoon had little but glowing things to say about VMI. PENTAGON VOWS TO REFORM MILITARY NEWSPAPER STARS AND STRIPES, REMOVE 'WOKE DISTRACTIONS' "We were disappointed by the firing of the superintendent," Annette told me, referring to Maj.
