Can a person who accused the U.S. military of embracing Marxism and denounced “the Left” as liars be a leader in a force that prides itself on nonpartisanship? Democratic lawmakers on Thursday were skeptical.
Matt Lohmeier, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the Air Force undersecretary, is a former Space Force lieutenant colonel who was removed from his command in 2021 after appearing on a right-wing podcast to promote a self-published book that argues Marxism is rampant in the military. On Thursday, he appeared for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Democratic senators pressed Lohmeier on his firing by then-Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, but also on things he had done and said since leaving the service. In August, Lohmeier tweeted that “The Left lies about nearly everything it does,” in reference to news about Kamala Harris. In October, he spoke at a rally for then-candidate Trump in North Carolina, where he said he was fired because he criticized diversity initiatives in the military.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-RI, ranking member of SASC, read an Oct. 19, 2024, tweet from Lohmeier warning of “serious consequences” for senior leaders who have “participated in the hyper-politicization of the uniformed services” if Trump is elected.
Asked if he disavows that October tweet, Lohmeier said he’d “love to look at the context of all of the statements” that he’s made, and if confirmed, he would only hold people accountable “who don’t follow the law and who don’t honor their oath to the Constitution.”
“I’m very interested in non-partisanship from our uniform wearers in particular, and giving the right to the American people to entertain their partisan arguments,” he said. “I’m not interested in retribution, but I am interested, if confirmed, and looking forward to making sure we have proper accountability and high standards in the Department of the Air Force.”
He said he posted the tweets when he was a private citizen with “absolutely no intention of returning to public service” at the time, and said he is “very committed” to “eliminating political distractions from the military workplace.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, pressed Lohemier on whether he would seek reprisal against specific officers—including Whiting, who is now a four-star general in charge of U.S. Space Command—and whether he will recuse himself from decisions about their jobs.
Lohmeier did not directly answer, but committed to “treating all people fairly, according to the law”—a response Hirono called “totally not reassuring.”
Democratic lawmakers also raised concerns about his views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and former statements that alleged the January 6 insurrection was a “gov’t-led false flag and hoax at the Capitol.” Lohmeier denied using the word “hoax,” but claimed there were “undercover government agents at the Capitol on January 6.”
Lohmeier, a graduate of the Air Force Academy, started his career as a T-38 instructor pilot and later flew F-15Cs out of Kadena, Japan. He then transferred into the Space Force, where he worked on missile warning systems. He was commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base when he was dismissed.
During the hearing, Lohmeier pointed to his experience in both services and said he “speaks the language of both the Air Force and Space Force.”
“If confirmed, I must be a strong advocate for a larger and better-funded Department of the Air Force. Every single national security option the President needs is underpinned by air and space power,” Lohmeier said.
Troy Meink, Trump’s pick to be the Air Force secretary, sailed through a smooth hearing in March, with no apparent objections from any senators. Meink has been serving as the principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office and has long experience in the national security and intelligence world.
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