Matt Gaetz Demands Answers After Airmen Threatened With Removal For Attending Pro-Trump 'Patriot' Rally

On Wednesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) took action after it was revealed that Air Force leaders in North Dakota issued a warning text to service members at the Minot Air Force Base earlier this month 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 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."

In response to the message to airmen, Gaetz took action and demanded answers from Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. "I write to express grave concern regarding brazen partisan comments made by the command at Minot Air Force Base (AFB) in North Dakota," the Florida lawmaker wrote. "You are obligated to intervene, as this series of actions demonstrates a clear misapplication of the Hatch Act, which states members on active duty should not engage in political activities while in uniform to avoid creating the appearance that their political activities imply official Department of Defense (DoD) sponsorship, approval or endorsement of a candidate, campaign or cause."

As reported by Breitbart, the Republican firebrand went on to explain that the speaking event took place after work hours and not on federal property. "Thus, the text messages and emails from command show a growing politicization at installations within the Department of the Air Force (DAF) favoring one political party or political view," Gaetz explained. The Department of Defense under Biden has become increasingly politicized in an effort to push woke policy priorities to the detriment of the armed forces. These policy shifts turn Americans off to the military, and they are responding by entering the military at lower numbers and refusing to enlist in an institution that puts diversity, equity, and inclusion standards above protecting the nation.

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