Did the person violate military rule or did the left jump the gun?
During Donald Trump’s visit to the U.S. southern border this week, a man in full military uniform stood behind the Republican presidential candidate while he delivered a speech.
Trump Derangement Syndrome-suffering leftists on social media immediately assumed the man was a member of the U.S. Air Force and shunned him for violating code.
Newsweek even posted an article, titled, “Military Presence Behind Donald Trump During Border Speech Raises Alarm.”
One X user tagged the U.S. Air Force account and asked why its general was dressed in uniform at a Trump campaign event, writing, “Last I checked LARPing for a candidate in uniform is not permitted. Figure a General would know that.”
Dear @usairforce,
What’s your General doing dressed in uniform at a Trump campaign event? Or did Donald find another Stolen Valor schmuck to play dress-up? Last I checked LARPing for a candidate in uniform is not permitted. Figure a General would know that. pic.twitter.com/06Ii8msu7B
— Sgt Joker (@TheSGTJoker) March 1, 2024
Former congressman and current CNN Senior Political Commentator Adam Kinzinger promoted the fake news.
Good question. Trump isn’t president so this is by definition a campaign event, and nobody in uniform can participate. https://t.co/XG8M6Tx0R1
— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@AdamKinzinger) February 29, 2024
Several other accounts echoed the false narrative that an Air Force general stood behind Trump.
If you look behind Drumpf, it’s Major General Thomas Suelzer, standing behind Trump at a campaign event. WTF @DeptofDefense? Why is a DoD employee standing with Trump, in uniform, at a campaign event? It’s illegal via the Hatch Act and DoD guidelines! Do we not follow laws now? https://t.co/NxhODeDWtA
— WTF Seriously 🇺🇲 🇺🇦 (@stopbeingaderp) March 1, 2024
Hmmmmm….
Isn’t Major General Thomas Suelzer in violation of the “Hatch Act” for wearing his uniform at the Trump Campaign visit to the border? pic.twitter.com/PGPGSoGYbc
— Rylie Roulette (@RylieRoulette) March 1, 2024
It was later revealed the man in uniform behind Trump is Major General Thomas Suelzer, who is currently serving as the Adjutant General for the State of Texas under Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
Suelzer’s position of authority over Texas Military Forces is second only to Abbott, and the general was at the Trump event on the governor’s behalf.
Even after learning Suelzer’s identity, the rabid anti-Trumpers continued attacking him for daring to stand behind the man trying to stop the border invasion.
Former Republican John Jackson, who left the U.S. to fight in defense of Ukraine, wrote, “This is a terrible failure of leadership by Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer. It is literally Military 101 that you don’t act in a political capacity while in uniform. This man is utterly incompetent at best. Everyone knew this event was a political stunt. Nodding at racist trash.”
This is a terrible failure of leadership by Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer. It is literally Military 101 that you don’t act in a political capacity while in uniform. This man is utterly incompetent at best. Everyone knew this event was a political stunt. Nodding at racist trash. https://t.co/PgDGXuUsvH
— John Jackson (@hissgoescobra) March 1, 2024
Not the best look for Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer on Trump’s shoulder, nodding along in uniform while a political candidate goes on a racist tirade at a lectern displaying his campaign’s fundraising number https://t.co/y5ZNKeUdOB
— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) March 1, 2024
Major Gen Thomas Suelzer, Texas Adjutant General, stood by Donald Trump at Eagle Pass, TX tour of the border. Suelzer blurred his uniform name tag but not his Air Force tag & rank. DoD Directive 1344.10 bans use of uniform for political or campaign events. Is this proper? pic.twitter.com/ajQMYsLdpv
— La Prensa San Diego – LaPrensa.org (@LaPrensaSD) March 1, 2024
1. Maj. General Suelzer appears to be ignoring the rules regarding appearing in uniform at political events.
2. He’s standing with a guy who thinks he’s a sucker and a loser. pic.twitter.com/hLGfIbeFYo
— Jody Dean (dfwjodydean.bsky.social) (@DFWJodyDean) March 1, 2024
The Texas Major General didn’t just stand with Trump, he also spoke to the nation, telling Americans the state’s National Guard is working to stop the invasion and telling would-be illegals, “If you are around the world contemplating coming to do an illegal entry into the United States of America, YOU NEED TO THINK TWICE about that. Go somewhere else or don’t even begin your journey.”
If you are… contemplating coming to do an illegal entry into the United States of America, YOU NEED TO THINK TWICE about that.” – Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer
Join us live for President Trump’s visit to the border in Eagle Pass, Texas! https://t.co/Ul96gHsFCu pic.twitter.com/H9sHYrYqfz
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) February 29, 2024
Several informed X users detailed why it was fine for Suelzer to be at the press conference, with military veteran Mark Hertling pointing out the general left Air Force active duty in 2007 and is now under the command of the Texas governor.
For those who may not understand, MajGen Suelzer is The Adjutant General of the Texas Guard. USAFA Class of 90 & a C5 pilot, he left active duty in 2007, joined the Air Nat’l Guard. TAGs are political appointees & get their ranks/positions from their Governor. Abbott’s his boss. https://t.co/GUiUH7VGiJ
— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) March 1, 2024
