Kimball R. and Karen Gatsis Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism
University of Illinois College of Law
In Partnership With:
The National Institute of Military Justice
Presents:
The United States Military in the Age of President Trump 2.0
Friday, February 21, 2025
A Virtual Discussion (Zoom)
REGISTER TO ATTEND
(CLE Pending)
Program Description: For his second administration, President Donald Trump has proposed a dramatic reimagining of the United States military. President Trump has discussed using the federal military domestically to seize and deport undocumented migrants. He also discussed using the federal military abroad in ways that some have criticized as contrary to international law and the laws of armed conflict. He has also advocated for a military force more loyal to him, pining for “Trump generals” and raising the possibility of a review board that would vet and potentially punish both current and formal generals who were perceived as disloyal. Meanwhile, he expressed sympathy to American servicemembers accused or convicted of war crimes, while also promising to “unwoke” the military and ban all transgender individuals from serving, claiming that such actions would enable mission readiness and increase military strength.
This program brings together many of the nation’s leading military law scholars to discuss President Trump’s proposed reimagining of the American military. The speakers will explore the legal and political frameworks in place that potentially enable and restrict President Trump’s proposals, while also exploring the potential controversies and attendant impacts these proposals may have on servicemembers, national security, and democratic and societal norms. It ultimately asks whether President Trump’s reimagining of our nation’s military makes sense – or does it present a threat a threat to our nation’s security and liberty? And if it does pose a threat, what remedies are available under the current legal and political frameworks?
NOTE: All times are Central Standard Time:
9:50 AM – 10:00 AM: Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dean Jamelle Sharpe, University of Illinois College of Law
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Session I – Impact on Servicemembers: Following (or Not) Orders, Military Justice, Gender and Identity
Moderator: Prof. Tony Ghiotto, University of Illinois College of Law
Panelists: 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 –Impact on Democratic, International, and Societal Norms: Domestic Use of the Military, Civilian-Military Relations, Compliance with and Support for the Law of Armed Conflict
Moderator: Prof. Dan Maurer, Ohio Northern School of Law
Panelists: 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: The Future of the Military and the Chain of Command in the Trump Administration 2.0
Speakers: Professor Claire Finkelstein, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Mr. Michael Berry, Executive Director, Center for Litigation, America First Policy Institute
About the Anderson Center
As the heart of the trial advocacy program at Illinois, the Kimball R. and Karen Gatsis Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism aims to provide “best in class” training to College of Law students in two distinct areas. First, the Center offers training in a wide variety of advocacy skills, including trial advocacy, appellate advocacy, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution. Second, the Center provides College of Law students with innovative classes and programs relating to the professional responsibility obligations attendant to client advocacy. Especially in today’s highly charged and politicized environment, students must have the ability to advocate in a professionally responsible manner. This professional responsibility component, already part of the College of Law’s advocacy-training culture, is an important aspect that distinguishes the Anderson Center from other advocacy programs in American legal education.
The Center was founded through the generosity of Kimball R. Anderson and Karen Gatsis Anderson, who received their bachelors’ degrees from the University of Illinois in 1974 and their Juris Doctor degrees from the College of Law in 1977. The Andersons are longtime benefactors of the College of Law, having launched a number of initiatives at the College, including the College’s public interest fellowship program and the construction of the Anderson Courtroom in the College of Law main Champaign-based campus.