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Republicans Demand Space Force Commander Be Reinstated After Being Fired For Criticizing Marxism

By • May 21, 2021 2:45 pm

A group of Republicans sent a letter to the acting secretary of the US Space Force, requesting that a recently fired commander be reinstated after making remarks in the military about Marxism and critical race theory.

GOP lawmakers including Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, have argued that the decision reflects an “increasingly politicized climate” in the Pentagon.

“Space Force Guardians conduct can’t-fail missions twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week: we cannot allow temporary political appointees at the Department of Defense who are ideologically motivated to purge those men and women in uniform who do not agree with the cultural or political fads of the moment,” the letter said.

Lieutenant Col. Matthew Lohmeier was fired after appearing on podcasts to promote his book, in which he said that Marxism and critical race theory were gaining traction in the military.

“We call on you to reinstate Lieutenant Colonel Lohmeier immediately, barring any violations of the UCMJ which have not yet been publicly disclosed,” the two dozen Republicans wrote. 

“Whether you agree with him or not, no rational American can review his level-headed critique of the critical race theory-based ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ training the military is currently conducting and conclude that his comments on that subject deserve relief of command,” it added.

The GOP lawmakers cited a number of cases in which senior military officials in the past have also criticized Fox News’ Tucker Carlson and other conservative personalities using politicized speech — all without repercussions.

Republican personalities have already earlier voiced support for Lohmeier, whose book is titled, “Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military.”

“Our military should be preparing to win battles – not being brainwashed with Marxist ideals,” Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona wrote. “This man is a hero.”

“Troubling,” Rep. Ted Cruz (Texas) wrote. “Space Force officer relieved of post after denouncing Marxist ideology and critical race theory in military.”

“We need to be preparing our warriors to fight and win battles, not how to be SJWs,” Rep. Dan Crenshaw (Texas), a former Navy SEAL said.

“Far left critical race theory is taught while speaking out against MARXISM is punished?? Share this. Don’t let this story slip away.”

According to the military, Lohmeier was fired due to a lack of confidence in his leadership abilities — although he spent more than a decade in the US military before joining the Space Force, which was formed recently under the former administration of President Donald Trump.

The Republican lawmakers wrote, “as you know, Lieutenant Colonel Lohmeier, commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado, was relieved of command last week by Lieutenant General Whiting, the head of Space Operations Command, “due to loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead.” 

“This decision was based on public comments made by Lt. Col. Lohmeier in a recent podcast and that there is currently an investigation underway ‘on whether these comments constituted prohibited partisan political activity.’”

The  GOP lawmakers continued: “Based on the interviews themselves, these statements by a Space Force spokesperson seem entirely divorced from reality. Lieutenant Colonel Lohmeier went out of his way to explicitly express support and admiration for his chain of command.”

“According to his interviews, he raised concerns expressed in his book and on the podcast through his chain of command and through the Air Force Office of Inspector General. Based on the outreach we have conducted in a very limited period of time, Lieutenant Colonel Lohmeier has a stellar service record with no history of insubordination or malfeasance. We also know that the 11th Space Warning Squadron has long served as a premier command post for those officers serving at the top of their year group. These facts combine to paint Lieutenant Colonel Lohmeier in a very positive light,” they added.

“Ultimately, there seems to be no material difference between the very public statements made by many senior leaders while in uniform and on official social media accounts, and those made by Lieutenant Colonel Lohmeier in an unofficial capacity,” the lawmakers added. 

The Republican lawmakers then suggested that far-left ‘critical race theory’ was in fact “a school of thought ultimately and explicitly derived from Marxism.”

“This is an inescapable fact that senior leaders in the Department of Defense can no longer continue to ignore. Now is a time for choosing: those leaders who are complicit with this poisonous philosophy which promotes racial essentialism and collective guilt in our beloved military will be judged by history accordingly. Promoting critical race theory will disrupt the good order and discipline of the Space Force and eviscerate our nation’s ability to attract patriotic talent to serve in uniform and fight our wars.”

The lawmakers demanded then that Lohmeier be restored “immediately,” barring any previously unknown violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

In February, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a  “stand down” order, giving the military a 60-day duration to participate in conversations about terrorism within its ranks.

Some Republicans have criticized attempts by the military and national security community to promote a more progressive climate, which they claim the Biden administration has prioritized over national security.

Steeve Strange

Steeve is the CEO & Co-Founder of The Scoop.
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