House Republican lawmakers want some answers from the Defense Department about the presence of U.S. Marines during President Joe Biden’s speech about “MAGA Republicans.”
Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), and Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting information about the circumstances that led to the pair of Marines standing behind Biden.
“We are gravely concerned that throughout the entirety of this partisan, politically charged, and divisive address to the nation, two United States Marines were visibly present flanking the President in the background. The President’s use of active duty Marines as political props undermines the apolitical nature of our servicemembers and erodes trust in our military,” the letter states.
It continued, “American men and women in uniform swear a solemn oath to defend the Constitution. They do not serve a political party. On several occasions before the committees of Congress and at other public events, both you and General Milley have reinforced this fact. You’ve expressed your concern about politicization of the military and have insisted the military will not become a political instrument under your watch.”
“Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened with the participation of the Marines at this political event,” it added.
The lawmakers went on to argue that Biden’s speech should “in no way be considered official business” as he “spent over 20 minutes attacking the former President, members of the Republican party, and the citizens who chose to vote for them.”
Read the letter below:
Joe Biden inappropriately and illegally jeopardized Marines’ compliance with DoD regulations while he was denigrating & demonizing tens of millions of Americans.
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) September 8, 2022
@RepMikeRogersAL, @KenCalvert, & I are calling for accountability to end this politicization of our service members. pic.twitter.com/46OkRJKVc9
The letter then cited regulations that prohibit servicemembers from participating in events that further “partisan views on political, social, economic, or religious issues” while in uniform.
The lawmakers suggested that the Marines “may have been ordered to participate in a political event that jeopardizes their compliance with these and other Department of Defense regulations.”
They asked for responses to a series of questions, including whether anyone at the Defense Department reviewed Biden’s speech before he delivered it, whether Austin “or anyone in the Department of Defense” knew that active duty Marines would be present, and if anyone evaluated the “appropriateness of uniformed Marines participating in a political event.”
On Sept. 1, Biden delivered a speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and warned about so-called “MAGA Republicans.”
But the backdrop for his speech drew significant backlash from some who pointed out that the building was lit up with red lights. Additionally, two uniformed Marines were seen behind Biden.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously defended the positioning of the Marines, saying during a press briefing, “The presence of the Marines at the speech was intended to demonstrate the deep and abiding respect the president has for these service members, to these ideals and the unique role our independent military plays in defending our democracy, no matter which party is in power.”
“Again, no matter which party is in power. And it is not abnormal — it is actually normal — for presidents from either side of the aisle to give speeches in front of members of the military, including President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush. It is not an unusual sight,” she added.
