In a significant legal move reminiscent of their Supreme Court victory against race-conscious college admissions, Students for Fair Admissions has urged a federal judge to bar the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from considering race in its admission evaluations. The non-profit, founded by affirmative action critic Edward Blum, argues that West Point’s efforts to enhance diversity through its admission policies are unconstitutional.
During the hearing in White Plains, New York, attorney Patrick Strawbridge, representing Students for Fair Admissions, emphasized the Supreme Court’s recent ruling invalidating race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. He contended that military academies, including West Point, should not be granted the legal leeway to favor applicants of certain races over others in the admissions process.
Strawbridge asserted, “Racial discrimination is not made more palatable just because it wears a uniform.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Blain, representing the Biden administration, countered by emphasizing West Point’s unique role in training the future leaders of the Army. She argued that establishing a racially and ethnically diverse officer corps is essential for building combat-ready forces, rooted in a history of racial tensions within the military that could impact mission readiness.
“This is a national security imperative,” Blain asserted.
The presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Philip Halpern, appointed by former President Donald Trump, expressed his intention to make a prompt ruling due to West Point’s upcoming January 31 application deadline. While questioning the necessity of race consideration in admissions, he also pondered whether West Point could achieve diversity through alternative means.
“Why do we need it in the admissions process?” Judge Halpern queried during the hearing.
This legal development follows a recent rejection of a similar request by Students for Fair Admissions to prevent the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis from considering race. The group, led by Edward Blum, initiated lawsuits against both military academies, seeking to eliminate what they see as an exemption granted to them by the Supreme Court’s ruling on college admissions.
In its defense, the Justice Department cited disparities in the racial composition of the Army’s active duty enlisted personnel and officers, underscoring the need for affirmative action to address the imbalances.
This unfolding legal battle raises crucial questions about the intersection of constitutional principles, military training, and the pursuit of diversity within institutions like West Point.
