Amid the nation’s turbulent political landscape, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has taken an unyielding stance against the Pentagon’s recent “diversity” initiatives. As the champion for conservative voices nationwide, Tuberville has blocked over 300 military nominations since February, standing firmly against the Pentagon’s policy to fund out-of-state travel for female service members seeking abortions. His actions have been met with polarized responses, with some applauding his resolve and others accusing him of putting national security at risk.
One of the key figures in Tuberville’s line of sight has been Air Force Col. Benjamin R. Jonsson. In a past op-ed addressed to “white colonels” following the 2020 death of George Floyd, Jonsson emphasized the racial disparity within Air Force ranks.
He went so far as to recommend that these colonels read “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism,” urging them to prioritize racial discussions. In a later statement, Jonsson stated, “Diversity, inclusion, valuing diversity and inclusion on our teams, it’s a mission imperative.”
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In the eyes of conservative critics, such open endorsements of left-wing initiatives are concerning signs of the direction the military might take under such leadership. William Thibeau, Director of the American Military Project at the Center for the American Way of Life, expressed his concerns: “Officers like Col. Jonsson are nonetheless desperate to convince us of our racial differences.”
However, Jonsson is one of many nominees on Tuberville’s radar. Navy Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff and Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider expressed open support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, nominated to be the first woman in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently spoke on the importance of “allyship” in the Navy. Her commitment to “embracing and supporting differences” and “creating an inclusive environment” is evident.
Yet, for Tuberville and many like-minded conservatives, these nominations represent a departure from the military’s core objectives. As Tuberville posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “The Senate needs to do our job and take a close look at these nominees. These jobs are too important not to.”
Defending his decision to block military promotions, Tuberville, in a conversation on “The Kimberly Guilfoyle Show,” highlighted that the number of four-star generals has ballooned from seven during World War II to 44 today. He is unwavering in his position, even as Pentagon officials claim these vacancies pose “unnecessary and unprecedented” risks.
Tuberville’s dedication to upholding conservative principles, especially in standing against the Pentagon’s abortion and leftist policies, sets him apart from the neo-conservative establishment Republicans. His commitment to these causes, even in the face of significant opposition, demonstrates the courage of his convictions.
As he told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “There is nobody more military than me,” a sentiment that resonates with many Americans seeking principled leadership in today’s politically charged environment.
