Trump names Erika Kirk to key advisory board of US Air Force Academy

Donald Trump has appointed Erika Kirk, the widow of murdered rightwing activist Charlie Kirk, to a key advisory board of the US Air Force Academy.The 37-year-old joins a number of other loyalists to the president on the 16-member panel of the academy’s board of visitors, which according to its website “inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters” of the Colorado Springs military training facility.Kirk’s husband, who was shot and killed in September during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University, was appointed by Trump to the board a year earlier and served until his death.There was no official announcement by the academy of his widow’s elevation, which was reported Tuesday by the Hill and other political news outlets. But her name has already been added to the list of members as one of Trump’s current five appointees, with one slot vacant.Other people appointed by the president in March 2025 include the Republican Alabama US senator Tommy Tuberville, and Dina Powell, who was deputy national security adviser for strategy during the first Trump administration.A number of Congress members from both parties make up the bulk of the rest of the panel, which includes two other Republican US senators elevated by John Thune, the chamber’s majority leader; they are Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, named recently as Trump’s pick to replace the fired homeland security secretary Kristi Noem.In a statement, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said Erika Kirk was a “perfect choice” to succeed her husband.“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,” she said.“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.”Since her husband’s murder, Kirk has continued to take an active role in Turning Point USA, the conservative advocacy group he founded and led, as its chair and chief executive.She is scheduled to appear on Wednesday with Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Republican governor of Arkansas and Trump’s former press secretary, at an event in Little Rock to promote the group’s Club America program that seeks to install a Turning Point chapter in every public high school in the state.Kirk, a former Miss Arizona beauty pageant winner, was also recognized by Trump during the president’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in February.