West Point Professor Sues After Firing Over Climate Change Teaching Ban
Dr. Adam Kalkstein, a tenured geography professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was fired after refusing an order to remove all references to human-caused climate change from his curriculum. The directive, issued by Brigadier General Shane Reeves in September 2025, was part of a broader Trump administration effort to purge climate acknowledgment from military institutions. Kalkstein, a conservative Republican, filed a First Amendment lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, arguing the order defied science and harmed national security, particularly regarding Arctic resource competition.
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West Point Professor Sues Academy Over Alleged Ban on Teaching Human Causes of Climate Change
Adam Kalkstein, a longtime climate science professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, has filed a lawsuit alleging he was fired for objecting to a directive that ordered instructors to stop teaching cadets about anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change. The lawsuit claims that in September 2025, faculty were told to scrub references to human causes from their courses. Kalkstein objected, arguing it was unethical and dishonest to students. After raising concerns with the dean, Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, who allegedly yelled and suggested he resign, Kalkstein was later told his appointment would not be renewed. The lawsuit, which cites violations of First Amendment rights and academic freedom, is the latest in a series of political challenges to service academies under the Trump administration, including the shutdown of diversity programs and book removals.
West Point Professor Sues Academy Over Order to Stop Teaching Human Causes of Climate Change
Adam Kalkstein, a longtime climate science professor at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), has filed a lawsuit alleging he was fired after refusing to comply with an order to stop teaching cadets that humans contribute to climate change. The lawsuit claims that in September 2025, faculty were told to scrub references to anthropogenic climate change from courses and warned against speaking to the media. Kalkstein objected, arguing the directive violated Army values and academic integrity. After a heated meeting with the dean, Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, who allegedly yelled and suggested he resign, Kalkstein continued teaching. In May 2026, his appointment was not renewed, with officials citing 'poor character and temperament.' The lawsuit is part of a series of political challenges to service academies under the Trump administration, including the shutdown of diversity clubs and removal of DEI-related books. Kalkstein's attorney says the professor is a conservative Republican who believes in teaching established science.
West Point Professor Sues Academy Over Order to Stop Teaching Human Causes of Climate Change
Adam Kalkstein, a longtime West Point climate science professor, is suing the U.S. Military Academy, alleging he was fired after objecting to a directive that banned teaching anthropogenic climate change. The lawsuit claims faculty were ordered in September 2025 to scrub references to human-caused climate change from courses. Kalkstein raised concerns with leadership, including the dean, Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, who reportedly reacted angrily and suggested he resign. Despite positive performance reviews, Kalkstein's appointment was not renewed beyond December 2026, with officials citing 'poor character and temperament.' The lawsuit is part of a series of political challenges to service academies under the Trump administration, including the shutdown of diversity programs and book removals. A previous federal ruling had blocked similar free speech restrictions at West Point.
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West Point Professor Sues Academy Over Ban on Teaching Human Causes of Climate Change
Adam Kalkstein, a longtime West Point professor of climate science, has filed a lawsuit alleging the U.S. Military Academy fired him after ordering instructors to stop teaching cadets that humans contribute to climate change. The lawsuit claims that in September 2025, faculty were told to scrub references to anthropogenic climate change from courses. Kalkstein objected, arguing it was unethical and dishonest to omit established science. After raising concerns with the dean, Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, the dean allegedly yelled at him and suggested he resign. Despite years of stellar performance reviews and outside grant funding, West Point declined to renew Kalkstein's appointment beyond December 2026, citing 'poor character and temperament.' The lawsuit is the latest in a series of political challenges to service academies under the Trump administration, including the shutdown of diversity programs and removal of books. Kalkstein's attorney says the professor is a conservative Republican who believes cadets should be taught the truth.
West Point Professor Fired for Refusing to Omit Human Causes of Climate Change Files Lawsuit
Dr. Adam Kalkstein, a tenured geography professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was fired after refusing an order from Brigadier General Shane Reeves to remove all references to human contributions to climate change from his curriculum. Kalkstein, a conservative Republican, argued that teaching incomplete climate science would be immoral and detrimental to national security, particularly regarding Arctic resource competition. Six months after the meeting, his contract was not renewed. Kalkstein sued West Point in the Southern District of New York, alleging violation of his First Amendment rights. The lawsuit claims the order required him to defy science. The incident reflects the Trump administration's broader effort to purge climate change acknowledgment from military institutions, as stated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
West Point Professor Sues After Being Fired for Refusing to Omit Human Causes of Climate Change
Dr. Adam Kalkstein, a tenured geography professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was fired after refusing an order from Brigadier General Shane Reeves to remove all references to human contributions to climate change from his teaching. Kalkstein, a conservative Republican, argues that omitting this information is immoral, unscientific, and violates his First Amendment rights. He filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York after his contract was not renewed. The article frames the firing as part of a broader Trump administration effort to purge 'wokeness' from the military, including climate change acknowledgment, contrasting with the Pentagon's 2021 conclusion that climate change poses national security risks. Kalkstein contends that understanding climate change is critical for national security, particularly regarding Arctic resource competition.
West Point Professor Fired for Refusing to Omit Human Causes of Climate Change, Files Lawsuit
Dr. Adam Kalkstein, a tenured geography professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was fired after refusing an order from Brigadier General Shane Reeves, the dean of the academic board, to remove all references to human contributions to climate change from his teaching. Kalkstein, a conservative Republican, argued that omitting this information would be immoral, illegal, and detrimental to national security, particularly regarding Arctic resource competition. Six months after the meeting, his contract was not renewed. On August 26, 2026, Kalkstein sued West Point in the Southern District of New York, alleging violation of his First Amendment rights. The lawsuit claims the directive required him to defy science. The article frames this as part of a broader Trump administration effort to purge 'wokeness' from the military, contrasting with the Pentagon's 2021 conclusion that climate change exacerbates national security risks.