President Trump has appointed Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, to serve on the Air Force’s Board of Visitors.
The board has 16 members, with six appointed by the president.
Mrs. Kirk, whose name appears on the website, joins Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Alabama Republican, Dan Clark, Doug Nikolai and Dina Powell as members appointed by the president, with one vacant seat.
Other members on the board include Sens. Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma Republican, who was tapped to be the next Homeland Security secretary, along with Sens. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Republican, Ted Budd, North Carolina Republican, John Hickenlooper, Colorado Democrat, and Rep. Gabe Vasquez, New Mexico Democrat.
The website states the board “inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider.”
The president appointed Charlie Kirk to the board in March 2025. He only attended one meeting in August before he was assassinated while hosting an event on a college campus in Utah in September 2025.
The White House did not say when Mrs. Kirk was appointed to the board, but said Mr. Trump “made the perfect choice in appointing Erika Kirk to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors.”
“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 spokeswoman Olivia Wales said in a statement. “Erika Kirk will continue his legacy, and 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.”
Rep. August Pfluger, Texas Republican, who is also on the board, applauded Mr. Trump’s decision in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“I encouraged this appointment as 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. I look forward to working alongside her to carry on Charlie’s legacy,” he said.
A U.S. Air Force Academy spokesperson said the “institution does not influence or take a position on the selection of individual Board of Visitors members.”
“In accordance with federal law, Board appointments are made independently by the President of the United States and Congressional leaders in both the House and Senate, and the Board provides reports and recommendations to the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Air Force,” the spokesperson said.
Mrs. Kirk took over the role of chair and CEO of TPUSA after her husband was killed.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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