stolen honor Vet

belated see chickenhawk

some JAGoff aaty rep claimed in combat? fobbit?

One of the 50 Republican lawmakers — all veterans — who issued a letter to 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz earlier this week "does not hold" the title he claims in the letter.

Washington Post senior political reporter Aaron Blake wrote Wednesday via X:

Trump campaign sent a letter featuring >50 vets criticizing Walz for claiming to be a 'Retired Command Sergeant Major.'*

One listed signatory: 'Ronny Jackson, U.S. Representative (TX-13); Rear Admiral - U.S. Navy (Ret.)'

But Jackson does not hold that title. He was demoted.

The Texas Tribune reported in March that while Jackson, "the former White House physician turned GOP congressman, regularly touts his military bona fides," the Texas lawmaker "is no longer a retired admiral. The Navy demoted him in July 2022 following a damaging Pentagon inspector general’s report thatsubstantiated allegations about his inappropriate behavior as a White House physician, a previously unreported decision confirmed by a current defense official and a former U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive personnel move."

Furthermore, according to the Tribune, "Jackson is now a retired Navy captain" — which the the defense official noted is "a demotion that carries significant financial burden in addition to the social stigma of stripped rank in military circles."

Per Politico, the GOP letter "is signed by members of the House and Senate across the spectrum of Republicans, including longtime die-hard supporters of former President Donald Trump and more moderate members from competitive House districts."

The congressional leaders wrote: "You have violated the trust of our brothers and sisters in arms. Their blood, sweat, and sacrifice are the only reason our nation is able to exist. Until you admit you lied to them, there is no way you can be trusted to serve as Vice President."

Politico reports, "The Harris campaign early on referred to Walz as a 'retired Command Sergeant Major,' a rank he did achieve but was moved down to master sergeant before retiring in 2005. The campaign later updated his online biography."

The news outlet also notes that the Republicans' letter comes after "a statement signed Friday by 18 Democratic military veteran members of Congress defending Walz from attacks on his record."

*Politico's full report is available at this link.

MMA 1022

Republican House nominee and former right-wing streamer J.R. Majewski appeared on a program hosted by a pro-Confederate Oath Keepers member to promote his campaign. The Oath Keepers are a far-right militia that has been involved with numerous acts of violence, including on January 6, 2021.

Stanford’s Center for International Security and Cooperationwrote that the group “has often carried out operations that implicitly or explicitly threaten violence, such as participation in armed standoffs with federal agents and protesters. Most notably, the group participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.” Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and other members are currently on trial for charges related to the insurrection.

Majewski previously hosted an online streaming program where he pushed QAnon conspiracy theories. He is also a January 6 insurrectionist.

The Associated Press reported in September that Majewski “misrepresented” his military service by presenting “himself as an Air Force combat veteran who deployed to Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.” Military documents, however, “indicate Majewski never deployed to Afghanistan but instead completed a six-month stint helping to load planes at an air base in Qatar, a longtime U.S. ally that is a safe distance from the fighting.”

Majewski appearing on a program hosted by an Oath Keeper is just the latest example of the increasing overlap between the GOP and extremist media.

He has been going on far-right programs to double down on his claim that he deployed to Afghanistan and build support for his campaign. Those programs include ones hosted by white nationalist Stew Peters; militia-linked extremist Pete Santilli; and Kristi Leigh, who is a contributor to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ network. Prior to the AP report, Majewski also appeared on the streaming program of a right-wing group that said it had hundreds of members in D.C. during the January 6 insurrection.

On October 11, Majewski appeared on the LiveTruth Radio program for nearly 30 minutes. The show is hosted by Oath Keeper Brian Lange. During the interview -- and throughout the show -- the program displayed a small picture with the Oath Keepers logo and the words “get involved!”

The show’s website displays a logo for the Ohio Oath Keepers as well.

On the program, Majewski criticized the Associated Press and asked Lange’s audience for their support and contributions. Following the interview and at the conclusion of the show, the Oath Keeper said he endorses Majewski.

Lange is also a supporter of the Confederacy and displayed the Confederate flag during one of his prior episodes. During that program, he said: “For all you Blacks and others out there that have been declaring that the Confederate flag is racist: You're a communist racist son of a bitch that doesn't even know the history of the Confederate flag.”