West Point Professor Challenges New Speech Approval Rules as Trump Order Tightens Faculty Limits
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 26
West Point Professor Challenges New Speech Approval Rules as Trump Order Tightens Faculty Limits
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 26
Summary
Tim Bakken, West Point’s longest-serving law professor, told dozens of colleagues at a faculty meeting that the academy’s new speech rules are unconstitutional.
The policy unveiled that day would require faculty to seek approval before publishing papers or giving speeches, which Bakken said violates the First Amendment.
A uniformed colonel challenged Bakken within moments, underscoring immediate resistance inside the academy as it moved to enforce the new restrictions.
The dispute follows Trump’s order and signals a sharper clash over academic freedom at West Point, where Bakken warned tolerance for opposing views could end.