Washington, D.C. – The military is looking into whether any active duty military personnel participated in last week’s assault on the U.S. Capitol. The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued an internal memo to all service members condemning the riots.
An anonymous Army officer claims that she only participated in the rally prior to the riots at the Capitol building. Military authorities are trying to confirm if any other military personnel joined her.
These investigations expose a wide and serious issue of domestic extremism within the military’s ranks. On Monday, the U.S. Capitol Police confirmed suspending several officers while investigating at least 10 others. Further, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating 25 members of the military. What is unclear is whether or not these officers are currently active in the ranks or retired?
Can military members participate in political events?
U.S. military personnel can participate in political events while not in uniform. Therefore, a service member’s participation in the political rally before the attack on the U.S Capitol would be allowed. However, the question is whether or not military personnel played any role in the security breach and violence at the Capitol? If a security breach was caused and violence was encouraged, disciplinary action will follow.
This week, the Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, of Illinois is seeking answers. She sent a letter to the acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller. Sen. Duckworth requests that the Department of Defense investigate current and retired military personnel who may have participated in the violence. She urged Miller to “take appropriate action to hold individuals accountable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”
The members of the military have and continue to defend the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech. But are the attacks against the Capitol really about freedom of speech or are they part of an insurrection?
Thumbnail Credits : Joshua Bessex
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