President Donald Trump has nominated a nearly retired general with a notable history of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as for COVID-19 vaccine mandates for military personnel, to be the next U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, according to sources.
Air Force General Kenneth Willsbach, who recently led Air Combat Command, retired from service in August after a distinguished career as a fighter pilot. With this nomination, Trump is filling the vacancy left by the resigning leader of the unit, as reported.
Willsbach expressed gratitude for his nomination, saying, “I am deeply honored to be appointed as the next Air Force Secretary. The trust and confidence I have placed on me are not something I would underestimate.”
His confirmation requires approval from both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the entire U.S. Senate.
“If confirmed, I will strengthen the spirit of the warrior, always protect my hometown and build a more lethal force ready to stop enemies all over the world,” he stated. “Cindy and I have always prioritized the needs of our Airmen and their families, and we are committed to defending them in this position.”
Notably, Willsbach’s wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Willsbach, served on his White House Communications team during both Trump administrations, which adds a layer of interest to the nomination.
Air Force Second Troy Meink voiced his support for Willsbach, although some former service members have criticized him for a perceived pattern of denying religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and actively promoting DEI as a critical military priority.
One notable former service member, Air Force Master Sergeant Nick Kupper, who had to retire after 19 years, condemned Willsbach in a social media post, asserting, “This is the man who enforces illegal orders and crushes Christian conservatives among our troops.” Kupper’s post highlighted the vaccine denials issued by Willsbach in 2022.
During his tenure with the Pacific Air Force, Willsbach participated in a “Race Dialogue” video following George Floyd’s death, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion within the military.
In a 2021 article, he articulated his priorities, stating, “When I took command, I laid out four priorities: diversity, preparation, innovation, and lethality to focus our efforts.”
Concerns about Willsbach’s approach continued to circulate, with other military veterans expressing apprehension about appointing someone with a strong DEI focus to such a significant leadership role.
