After a testy exchange with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has fired back at the Secretary of Defense in a newly released video, saying that Lloyd is ignorant of the military.
Gaetz described Austin's take on critical race theory being instructed in the military as "willful ignorance" of the "inner workings of the military, including his failure to define 'extremism.'
Gaetz posted the video on his Twitter, in which he claims that the military should "be focused on defending America, not defending wokeism," adding "failing our military and our country.":
Our nation’s military should be focused on defending America, not defending wokeism. @SecDef Lloyd Austin is failing our military and our country. pic.twitter.com/21VOPdAKfd
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) June 24, 2021
Gaetz also voiced grievance with Austin's silence on Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier, who after criticizing the US military's focus on critical race theory, branding it as "Marxist," was relieved of his duties.
Since then, Florida Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL) and Michael Waltz (R-FL) have spoken on the matter, calling Lohmeier a hero for bringing attention to the issue, which has arguably helped Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) openly investigate race education in the military.
The exchange is not the only news Gaetz made this week in regard to the military, as the Congressman also had an altercation with 4 Star General Mark Milley, where Milley took offense to a question Gaetz posed on Critical Race Theory.
"I do think it's important, actually, for those of us in uniform to be open-minded and be widely read. And it is important that we train and we understand,” referecing the January 6th insurrection “I want to understand white rage, and I’m white… What is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution of the United States of America?” Stated General Milley.
