This is a misleading article.
The guy isn’t protesting the Christmas toy drive at all.
He “took issue with an announcement about the drive made to cadets in the dining hall, followed up with an email appealing for donations.”
Specifically, the email he’s protesting was first approved by cadet leadership, thereby making it sanctioned by the Air Force.
And in the Academy, sanctioned activities pushed by leadership usually equals ‘mandatory’.
*THAT’S* the crux of the matter.
Perhaps you missed the part where he protested the Christmas toy drive.
Let's be clear about Mikey's motivation and what angers the folks here on FR. It is apparent by protesting any part of the drive that Mikey was trying to get his nose under the tent.
This is Mikey's position (quoted by the reporter): “This is arrogance beyond measure…this is clearly an egregious Constitutional mistake.”
In defense of the Academy's command, it appears they have realigned the drive to be conducted out of the Chaplain's office. Whereupon, it appears Mikey decided to withdraw for a better opportunity.
Mikey must have been uncomfortable when, after arguing it was a Constitutional error to allow cadets to participate, he found it prudent to concede it is permissable for the Chaplain's office to participate.
Note to Mikey (who almost certainly studied Constitutional Law as a law student):
Check the current headlines, Mikey, regarding FDR’s Christian prayer to Almighty God broadcast to the nation in connection with our 1945 D-Day invasion. Would you have bitched about that prayer by the CinC? If not, why not?