A civilian law professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point claims a new policy at the military college is unconstitutional because it restricts professors' freedom of speech.

The professor, Timothy Bakken, has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to restrict West Point from enforcing the policy.

Bakken is the longest-serving law professor in West Point history, having worked there since June 18, 2000.

He filed the lawsuit as a class-action suit on behalf of himself and others in his position. Of West Point's more than 500 faculty members, approximately 100 are civilians, according to the lawsuit.

Defendants include the U.S. Military Academy, Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland and five other top leaders at West Point.

According to the lawsuit, the new policy was a result of a

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