Judge Blocks West Point Speech Curbs for 700 Professors in Bakken Suit
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 26
Judge Blocks West Point Speech Curbs for 700 Professors in Bakken Suit
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 26
Summary
May 26 brought Tim Bakken a key court win: Judge Cathy Seibel let his lawsuit proceed and temporarily barred West Point from enforcing its academic-engagement policy against civilian professors.
The policy, adopted after Trump’s 2025 order, required prior approval before professors could publish, give speeches or appear on podcasts; Bakken argued it chilled dissent and even classroom discussion.
Seibel openly questioned West Point’s rationale at a White Plains hearing, pressing government lawyers on why public debate over wars or policy should be suppressed at an academy training future officers.
The ruling did not end the fight—the government had until late July to appeal, and the case could still run for months or reach trial.
Bakken says the backlash continued anyway: West Point briefly issued disciplinary memos after his win, and he later found a penny on his desk, which he took as an intimidation message.