Trump names Walt Nauta, co-defendant in classified documents case, other allies to Naval Academy board
President Donald Trump is nominating his close allies to serve on the board of visitors for the U.S. Naval Academy, a month after firing the previous board.
On the list is Walt Nauta, a Navy veteran who has served as Trump's body man and was federally indicted alongside the now-president in the classified documents case.
Trump also nominated his former press secretary Sean Spicer, former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) known as 'Doc Ronny,' and former Navy SEAL Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.).
In February, Trump fired the board of visitors for the Naval Academy, as well as the boards for the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. These boards serve as advisory panels to oversee programs and student life at the military academies.
The Biden administration had also removed former Trump appointees in 2021.
The move came as part of Trump's sweeping changes to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the government — including the military. He argued the academies had been 'infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues.'
Charges against Nauta were dismissed after Trump took office. Nauta still works for the president, and was seen traveling with him on Friday.
The service academy boards aren't the only ones that he has overhauled. On Friday Trump also completed his nominations for the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center — Washington's major theater and arts center — tapping two Fox News hosts for the job.
In his announcement on Friday, Trump called the nominees an 'incredible group of patriots,' adding, 'Together they will ensure continued Greatness for the Academy!'
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