GOP Lawmakers Sound The Siren On ‘Woke’ Recruitment

Ten House Republicans and Navy veterans, led by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), have raised concerns and are seeking answers from Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro regarding the appointment of a drag queen influencer from TikTok as one of the Navy’s “Digital Ambassadors” for recruitment purposes.

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In a letter addressed to Del Toro, they expressed their reservations over the recruitment of a drag queen on TikTok, which is known to have been influenced by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The lawmakers highlighted the challenging recruiting environment faced by the Navy.

Radical policies endanger the nation’s freedom

They criticized the Biden Administration’s implementation of what they perceive as radical and woke policies that deter potential recruits from volunteering to defend the nation’s freedoms.

They emphasized their belief that a military focused on woke ideologies is a weak military.

Non-binary Joshua Kelly makes the cut as ‘Digital Ambassador.’

The GOP lawmakers and Navy veterans, including Clyde, Eli Crane (AZ), Andy Harris (MD), Dan Crenshaw (TX), Morgan Luttrell (TX), Mike Garcia (CA), Ryan Zinke (MT), Guy Reschenthaler (PA), C. Scott Franklin (FL), and Ronny Jackson (TX) signed the letter.

Their concerns stemmed from the recent confirmation by the Navy that an active-duty enlisted sailor named Joshua Kelley, who identifies as “nonbinary,” was appointed as one of the first five “Digital Ambassadors” as part of a pilot program aimed at recruiting from new applicant pools.

Sailor in drag, lawmakers raise eyebrows at dual identity

The lawmakers pointed out that Kelley, also known as “Harpy Daniels,” frequently posts videos on TikTok and Instagram in which he transitions from his Navy uniform to his drag queen costume.

They highlighted captions such as “Hooyah, and let’s go slay,” accompanied by hashtags like “#navydragqueen” and “#sailor.”

Biden gets slammed for ‘woke’ policies across the military

Rep. Clyde, a 28-year Navy combat veteran, expressed his displeasure and disappointment with the Navy’s decision, stating that servicemembers should solely focus on maintaining the world’s most deadly military force, not engaging in drag activities.

While the Navy stated that the ambassadors’ social media accounts must include disclaimers that the Navy does not endorse them, the lawmakers argued that Kelley’s use of his uniform and ambassadorship suggests otherwise.

They also criticized the Biden administration’s implementation of woke policies across the military, including allowing transgender individuals to serve and the Air Force Academy discouraging gendered language.

From vaccine mandates to drag queen recruits

Additionally, they mentioned the administration’s endorsement of a vaccine mandate that potentially put 75,000 troops at risk of discharge, resulting in the involuntary removal of at least 8,000 soldiers.

In their letter, the lawmakers urged Secretary Del Toro to cease involvement with drag queens in future recruiting efforts.

They demanded information regarding the recruitment, the selection of Kelley as an ambassador, the Navy’s FY 2023 recruiting goals and numbers, and the expenditure of taxpayer funds on the program.

‘Woke’ but ‘weak’ Clyde demands radical recruitment policies removal

Rep. Clyde emphasized that a woke military is a weak military and called for removing radical policies that hinder recruiting and retention efforts while jeopardizing national security.

He urged Secretary Del Toro to promptly address these concerns and provide a comprehensive plan to improve the Navy’s recruiting and retention crisis.

Republicans and Veterans seek answers

In conclusion, these House Republicans and Navy veterans are seeking answers and demanding accountability regarding appointing a drag queen influencer as a Navy “Digital Ambassador,” expressing their concerns about the impact of woke policies on military readiness and national security.