Earlier this week, Trump spoke at Fort Bragg in North Carolina in celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday.
At the event, vendors were spotted selling Trump merchandise — including “Make America Great Again” hats and other “America First” swag.
“The Army remains committed to its core values and apolitical service to the nation,” said Col. Mary Ricks, a spokesperson for the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.
Sources say civilians from the federal commission America 250 — many of them with close ties to the White House — were given “full creative control” of the Fort Bragg event.
Trump tends to be popular at Fort Bragg among many of the rank-and-file there.
This week, at a service-sponsored event organized by the White House and the president’s supporters, pro-President Donald Trump merchandise ended up being sold on one of the Army’s bases. The Army is investigating how this happened.
To commemorate the Army’s 250th birthday, Trump gave a speech earlier this week at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Trump memorabilia, such as “Make America Great Again” hats and other “America First” items, was being sold by vendors at the event. Long-standing Defense Department policy, which forbids soldiers from displaying their political views while in uniform or donning political symbols like flags or hats, is probably in conflict with the practice.
At the direction of a democratically elected president, regardless of party affiliation, the policy aims to uphold America’s legacy of apolitical military forces.
A base spokesperson said the issue was being investigated when questioned about images of uniformed soldiers purchasing Trump merchandise on a military installation.
“The Army is still dedicated to its fundamental principles and apolitical service to the country,” Col. Mary Ricks, who represents Fort Bragg and the XVIII Airborne Corps.
Additionally, Ricks stated, “The Army does not endorse political merchandise or the views it represents.”. “The purpose of reviewing the vendor’s presence is to ascertain how it was approved and to stop future incidents of this kind. “..”.
This public event took place at Fort Bragg, the home of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and the U.S. A. The planning of Army Special Operations Command resembled that of a Trump rally.
Trump blasted his political rivals and reiterated untrue allegations of a “rigged and stolen election” during his nearly hour-long speech. Referring to the ongoing protests in the city, he described Los Angeles as a “trash heap” under the control of “transnational gangs and criminals.”. His assessment of immigration protesters as being a part of a “foreign invasion” differed from that of his top military adviser, Gen. Dan Caine, who openly disputed that claim during his testimony.
Sources claim that as the president voiced his political complaints, the event’s organizers positioned volunteers who volunteered to attend directly behind him. When Trump proposed that those who burned the American flag be imprisoned, some of the troops applauded and nodded, while others sneered when he brought up the “fake press.”. “,”.
Trump’s allusions to California Governor were met with jeers from some of the troops. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom.
When he spoke about the protests in Los Angeles, he said, “The mayor and the governor of California are incompetent and they paid troublemakers, agitators, and insurrectionists.”. They are actively working to overturn federal law and facilitate criminal invaders’ takeover of the city. “,”.
According to one Army official, uniformed officials on the ground likely ought to have resisted the event’s political nature more in retrospect. The president had made a politically charged speech during a West Point commencement ceremony two weeks earlier, advising cadets to steer clear of “trophy wives.”. “.
But to you, he is the president, so what can you do? The official made reference to the president’s democratically appointed position as commander of the country’s armed forces when she stated, “To us, he’s the commander-in-chief.”.
According to sources, “full creative control” of the Fort Bragg event was granted to civilians from the federal commission America 250, many of whom had close ties to the White House. America 250 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In response to a question concerning the Army review and the possibility that DOD policy was broken to make room for the event, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated, “It’s strange that ABC is criticizing President Trump’s poignant, unifying speech at Fort Bragg, which commemorated 250 years of U.S. S. . Army history, Gold Star families, and acknowledged military heroes. “..”.
According to two people familiar with the planning effort, the organizers told Army officials on base ahead of the rally that they wanted a certain number of soldiers eager to stand behind the president. A criminal background check would be required for these troops for security reasons.
The troops would have to agree to behave professionally and respectfully, sources said. No eyerolling, for example, or reacting negatively during Trump’s speech.
Army officials from the base worked diligently with America 250 organizers to find troops that would fit the bill.
“We’re soldiers,” one person said. “We do what we’re told. “.
As it turned out, finding troops on base willing to be respectful of Trump wasn’t hard, sources said. Trump tends to be popular at Fort Bragg among many of the rank-and-file there. And because the event was voluntary, the spectacle attracted his most ardent supporters.
In the end, footage of troops booing and cheering a political speech while being offered MAGA merch was regrettable, said the Army official.
“We wish it hadn’t happened,” the official said. “The Army would like to focus on the history and the celebration of its 250th anniversary and its commitment to defend the nation. “.
ABC News’ Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Also required, according to sources, — the troops would need to look fit, not fat, in keeping with the new administration’s focus on fitness standards, warrior ethos and lethality.
