The United States Military in the Age of President Trump 2.0: Exploring President Trump's Reimagining of the U.S. Military

Friday, February 21, 2025 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

VIA ZOOM

REGISTER HERE!

"For his second administration, President Donald Trump has proposed and begun to execute a dramatic reimagining of the United States military.   President Trump's reimagining of the federal military has included: (1) increased usage of the federal military domestically: (2) lessening or removing legal and bureaucratic restrictions on warfighting efforts internationally; (2) implementing measures for ensuring loyalty amongst general officers, while considering means to punish disloyalty; and (4) eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusiveness efforts within the military, to include banning transgender individuals from serving.  President Trump proposes such a reimagining as means to ensure the federal military is prepared for rising global threats to the security of the United States.

President Trump's proposals have been met with much controversy. This virtual discussion brings together many of the nation's leading national security and military law scholars to discuss President Trump's proposed reimagining of the United States military and the controversies that have arisen.  The speakers will explore the legal and political frameworks in place that both enable and restrict President Trump's proposals, while also exploring the attendant impacts these reform measures may have on servicemembers, national security, and democratic and societal norms.
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It ultimately asks whether President Trump's reimaging of our nation's military makes sense - or does it present a threat to our national security, our servicemembers, and democratic and societal norms.  And if it does pose such a threat, what remedies are available under the current legal and political frameworks."

Agenda

All Times are Central Standard Time

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM:    Session I – Potential Impact on Servicemembers:  Exploring Issues Concerning Following (or Not) Orders, Military Justice, and Gender and Identity 
Moderator:  Prof. Tony Ghiotto, University of Illinois College of Law
Prof. John Dehn, Loyola-Chicago School of Law 
Prof. Rachel VanLandingham, Southwestern Law School
Prof. Lesley Wexler, University of Illinois College of Law

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM:  Break

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:  Session II – Potential Impact on Democratic, International, and Societal Norms: Exploring the Domestic Use of the Military, Civilian-Military Relations, and Compliance with and Support for the Law of Armed Conflict

Moderator:  Prof. Dan Maurer, Ohio Northern School of Law
Prof. Brenner Fissell, Villanova School of Law
Prof. Mark Nevitt, Emory University School of Law
Prof. Frank Rosenblatt, Mississippi College School of Law

12:45 AM – 1:00 PM:  Break 

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM:  Keynote Address:  The Future of the Military and the Chain of Command in the Trump Administration 2.0
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 Professor Claire Finkelstein, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School 
 Mr. Michael Berry, Executive Director, Center for Litigation, America First Policy Institute