Overview

• President Trump, in a West Point commencement speech, criticized what he called the 'woke agenda' in the US Armed Forces, including drag shows and diversity programs.
• He pledged to redirect the military's focus to its core mission of national defense, discipline, and strength, stating that such 'distractions' would end under his administration.
• The Biden administration had already stopped drag shows on military bases in 2023 following Republican criticism, with the Pentagon citing resource regulation inconsistencies.
• Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada had previously hosted drag shows, including one in 2021 that drew about 180 attendees, before the Pentagon's 2023 directive to cancel such events.
• Trump's remarks reflect broader debates over the military's role, with his administration signaling a shift away from cultural initiatives toward traditional defense priorities.