Matt Gaetz Takes Action After Air Force Threatens To Kick Out Service Members Who Attend Pro-Trump 'Patriot' Rally

Last week, Air Force leaders in North Dakota issued a warning text to service members at the Minot Air Force Base about the November 17th "Dakota Patriot Rally" that was set to be hosted by a pro-Trump speaker from Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) that supported President Trump's reelection efforts in 2020. The base's leaders also warned service members "that participation with groups such as Turning Point Action could jeopardize their continued service in the U.S. military."

"Leaders, please exercise caution if downtown this weekend," a text message sent out to base personnel read with an additional warning for service members to "be careful" and "reach out for any concerns" because some attendees "could be confrontational to military members." The text, which was exposed via an "Air Force amen/nco/snco" Facebook page, also described Turning Point Action as an "alt-right" organization despite the group's work in mainstream conservative politics since its founding in 2019. 

The speaker in question was Turning Point Action's Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer, who wasn't even representing the organization officially at the event. Despite that fact, Turning Point Action told Fox News that the statement by the military officials was "appalling." "Tyler Bowyer was simply a keynote speaker. Secondly, Turning Point Action is not alt-right; it's a mainstream conservative organization, and Tyler Bowyer is not some fringe personality—he's the COO of TPAction, an RNC committeeman from the state of Arizona, and one of the most accomplished political organizers in the country," the spokesperson said. "Lastly, Mr. Bowyer and attendees of this event are not 'confrontational to military members,' they're some of the U.S. Military's most ardent supporters."

"How dare they dissuade servicemen and women from affiliating with conservative groups and leaders," the spokesperson told Fox. "This should set off alarm bells throughout North Dakota and D.C., telling them that something is terribly wrong at the Minot Air Force base. This also warrants an immediate congressional hearing and investigation, and whoever is responsible should be held accountable. It's exactly this type of poison that has caused the Air Force to miss its recruiting goal for the first time in decades."

In response to the warning sent to airmen, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) demanded a hearing on the matter, writing on X/Twitter, "Whoever thought sending this message out was a good idea is definitely gonna be answering questions under oath in the Armed Services Committee." Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) seconded the idea, writing, "[Air Force] see you in D.C.!"

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