Retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn has been appointed to the Board of Visitors at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, marking his return to a formal role within a Trump administration. President Donald Trump announced the appointment on Tuesday, naming Flynn as one of nine members who will be responsible for overseeing the morale, training, and education of cadets at the academy.
Flynn previously served as President Trump’s national security advisor before resigning in 2017 after admitting to making false statements to the FBI regarding his communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. He later withdrew his guilty plea, claiming he had been pressured to admit to the charges. The U.S. Department of Justice moved to dismiss the case, and before leaving office, Trump granted Flynn a full pardon.
Since departing his national security role, Flynn has remained an outspoken supporter of Trump, frequently appearing at political rallies and conservative media outlets. He has been a vocal critic of the 2020 election results and has aligned himself with Trump’s agenda heading into the 2024 presidential race.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump also announced that Maureen Bannon, daughter of former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, would be joining Flynn on the Board of Visitors. The board, which includes presidential appointees and members of Congress, advises the U.S. Military Academy’s leadership on curriculum, operations, and institutional matters.
🚨💥JUST ANNOUNCED: President Trump appoints General Michael Flynn, Congressman Wesley Hunt, and Maureen Bannon to the new Board of Visitors for the Nation’s oldest Military Academy, West Point.
Congratulations General Flynn @GenFlynn Congratulations to all! pic.twitter.com/Yw42DD7TUO
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) March 17, 2025
Flynn’s tenure as national security advisor lasted 24 days before he was asked to resign by then-Vice President Mike Pence over statements he made about his interactions with Kislyak. According to reports from the Justice Department’s investigation led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller, Flynn discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia during the transition period before Trump took office and later misrepresented the conversations.
The Department of Justice charged Flynn, citing concerns that his misstatements could make him vulnerable to foreign influence. However, the case was later dropped after then-Attorney General Bill Barr concluded the investigation had been improperly handled. Trump’s pardon fully cleared Flynn of any potential legal consequences.
Flynn’s new role at West Point comes amid Trump’s broader efforts to reshape military institutions. The former president has pledged to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and has called for changes in military training and recruitment standards. Flynn’s position on the board will give him a role in shaping the academy’s curriculum and policies in alignment with these priorities.
Michael Flynn was a Lieutenant General.
President Trump has written him in as a General.
1. General of the Army (five stars)
2. General (four stars)
3. Lieutenant General (three stars)
4. Major General (two stars)
5. Brigadier General (one star)Typo❓
H/T – @ScottZPatriot pic.twitter.com/o3mo35bErF
— Dr Russell McGregor (@KillAuDeepState) March 18, 2025
Following the announcement, Flynn expressed gratitude for the appointment, calling it a privilege to serve the U.S. military again. “Being appointed by the 47th President of the United States, President @realDonaldTrump (the greatest President in my lifetime) on the West Point Board of Visitors is an absolute honor and a humbling opportunity,” Flynn wrote on X. “Our military, especially our Army, is an important institution that has provided so many leaders, not only to our Army, but to our nation. Just an incredible opportunity and I look forward to helping shape the future of West Point, our Army and our nation.”
The Board of Visitors typically meets several times a year and provides recommendations to the academy’s superintendent and the Department of the Army. The extent of Flynn’s influence in the role remains to be seen, but his appointment signals the Trump administration’s ongoing focus on military policy and leadership.
