Congressman Derrick Van Orden | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Derrick Van Orden | Official U.S. House headshot
On April 1, 2024, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and a group of fellow Representatives addressed a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to investigate and combat left-wing extremism within the military ranks. The letter comes in the wake of recent incidents highlighting the presence of extremist behavior among active duty servicemembers and veterans.
In the letter, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of maintaining the honor and cohesion of the armed forces, stating, "Our military must continue to exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and unity, standing ready to defend our nation against any threat." They called on Secretary Austin to give equal attention to addressing left-wing extremism as has been given to other forms of extremism within the military.
Congressman Van Orden highlighted the significance of upholding the values and freedoms of the United States within the Armed Forces, stating, "When serving your country, you do not care about who your brothers and sisters in uniform vote for, but you do care about them defending our nation honorably." He expressed concern over the rise of left-wing extremism and its potential impact on military readiness.
The letter specifically referenced a recent incident involving an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, Aaron Bushnell, who engaged in an act of self-immolation outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. The lawmakers underscored that ideologies conflicting with those of the constitutional republic are inappropriate for members of the military who have sworn to defend the nation.
In conclusion, the lawmakers urged Secretary Austin to take decisive action in addressing left-wing extremism within the Armed Forces to ensure the strength, integrity, and readiness of the military. They expressed their expectation to hear about the steps the DoD will be taking to tackle this pressing concern.
The full text of the letter can be accessed for further details on the lawmakers' call to action.
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