Biden slammed by veterans group for using Marines ‘as props’ in partisan speech: It ‘erodes trust’ in military
- September 2, 2022
Houston Keene, Fox News
Biden’s usage of U.S. Marines could violate military code, watchdogs say
FIRST ON FOX: A veterans’ organization slammed President Biden on Friday for using Marines “as props” in his partisan speech, warning it “erodes trust” in the military.
Concerned Veterans for America deputy director and U.S. Marine Corps veteran John Byrnes blasted Biden for having Marines visibly positioned behind him during his inflammatory speech on Thursday, in which he said that the influence of “MAGA Republicans” on the GOP “is a threat to this country.”
Byrnes said that American “men and women in uniform serve the country, not a party” and “take a solemn oath that should not be taken lightly or taken advantage of.”
Mike Chamberlain, the director of government watchdog Protect the Public’s Trust, told Fox News Digital the “President may be exempt from most provisions of the Hatch Act, but members of the military are prohibited from participating in partisan political activity while on duty or in uniform.”
“In addition to potential violations by their superiors for coercing their participation in this event, the administration may be exposing these service personnel to possible allegations of misconduct for improperly engaging in political activity,” Chamberlain said.
“While the administration often offers criticisms of its predecessors for norm-breaking activities, this represents another example of them copying and pasting the same behavior,” he continued.
Chamberlain added the “American public expects the same standards to apply to government officials, from the President on down, regardless of which party or administration they are part of.”