Ron DeSantis has an Alabama Senator’s back on military leadership holds, and that leads the chair of the Florida Democrats to question his patriotism.
Responding to a statement DeSantis made two weeks ago backing Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Nikki Fried offers withering (if belated) criticism.
“How can Ron DeSantis call himself a patriot? His weaponization of the State Guard, unfounded attacks on the so-called ‘woke’ military, and recent support for Sen. Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions and nominations are a threat to national security and military readiness,” Fried asserted.
“Yet again, Ron is being Ron by showing us that he’s willing to put his political ambitions ahead of our veterans and Americans on the front lines.”
During a July interview with Hugh Hewitt, the Florida Governor and presidential candidate sided with Tuberville, who has blocked hundreds of promotions over the Department of Defense’s (DOD) abortion policy, telling Hewitt that those holds should not be removed.
“What the military’s policy is, is not following U.S. law. They are using tax dollars. They are funding abortion tourism, which is not an appropriate thing for the military to be doing. So I think our Republicans in the Congress should just take a stand on this. The DOD should stand down,” DeSantis said.
Senators are in August recess, and more than 300 promotions await action, with Tuberville not backing down.
Ironically, DeSantis got no political benefit from endorsing Tuberville’s holds, given that the Senator has endorsed former President Donald Trump.
“He’s the leader America needs in 2024,” Tuberville said. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for President of the United States!”
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