Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Donald Trump has appointed Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, to serve on the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, replacing her late husband on the oversight panel.
The board, which consists of 16 members, advises the U.S. Department of Defense on matters involving the United States Air Force Academy, including the institution’s morale, finances and academic programs. It also issues an annual report with recommendations to the defense secretary.
Kirk’s appointment was not formally announced but her name now appears on the academy’s official list of board members.
White House praises appointment
The White House declined to say when Kirk was officially named to the board but praised Trump’s selection.
“Charlie Kirk served proudly on the Board, inspiring not only the next generation of servicemembers, but millions around the world with his bold Christian faith, defense of the truth, and deep love of country,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said in a statement.
“Erika Kirk will continue his legacy and will be a fearless advocate for the most elite airpower force in the history of the world whose warriors keep our nation safe, strong and free.”
Board includes members of Congress
Other members of the board include several lawmakers, among them Markwayne Mullin, the Oklahoma Republican recently tapped by Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Also serving on the panel are:
-
Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
-
Kevin Cramer of North Dakota
-
Ted Budd of North Carolina
-
John Hickenlooper of Colorado
The board’s chair, August Pfluger, a Republican congressman from Texas, said he supported Kirk’s appointment.
“Erika is the right person to fill Charlie’s place on the board and continue his work of inspiring the next generation of service members and advancing the academy,” Pfluger told KOAA News5.
Pfluger said he had recommended Kirk’s appointment months earlier.
Continuing Charlie Kirk’s legacy
Trump named Charlie Kirk — the co-founder of Turning Point USA — to the Air Force Academy board in March 2025.
Kirk attended one board meeting in August before he was killed on Sept. 10 in an assassination at Utah Valley University.
During his brief tenure on the board, Kirk raised concerns about construction delays involving the academy’s chapel and urged officials to emphasize what he described as American exceptionalism in cadet education.
The 31-year-old conservative activist built a national following through Turning Point USA, an organization that promotes conservative activism on college campuses.
Following his death, Erika Kirk assumed the role of chief executive officer of Turning Point USA.
