You might have a problem when CNN’s Brianna Keilar and a prominent Democratic Party official — and Iraq War vet — call out President Joe Biden for needlessly politicizing the military in last week’s primetime address denouncing the vast majority of Republicans.
Presidents in both parties have used troops and military hardware as a backdrop for speeches, and yet, Biden’s address in front of Independence Hall crossed the Rubicon. Standing alongside the commander-in-chief were two U.S. Marines, adorned in their dress blues and bathed in an ominous red light.
The White House argues that the Marines’ presence was intended as a sign of respect.
However, the United States Armed Forces has long sought to discourage the politicization of the military by elected officials and promote the idea that they are an apolitical organization committed to defending all Americans.
Nevertheless, Biden’s team deliberately chose to have Marines on both sides of his podium, sending a signal to tens of millions of Americans who the president called out for either directly threatening the “very foundations of our republic” or implicitly condoning such activity by virtue of their political views.
CNN has more on the controversy:
“We need to make sure that our military is as removed from politics as possible and it’s not right if a Democrat uses the military as a political pawn and it’s not right if the Republican Party does it as well. None of our politicians or elected leaders should do that,” Allison Jaslow, a former executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told CNN’s Brianna Keilar on “New Day.”
Biden on Thursday warned that former President Donald Trump and his Republican followers represent “an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic” and that their attempts to undermine democracy could devolve into violence. Biden called on his audience to vote in November, backed by traditionally apolitical symbols like the United States Marine Band and two Marines positioned where they were seen on camera throughout the speech.
White House officials pushed back on criticism that the President’s speech was political, telling CNN’s Jeff Zeleny that “democracy is not a partisan or political issue.”
WATCH:
Jaslow, however, said “it’s very clear that a political message was being elevated through this event.”
While he agreed with the president’s message, Jaslow argued that having the Marines as “window dressing” was unacceptable, adding “If you don’t want the so-called MAGA Republicans or any Republicans to be politicizing the military, of which many administrations have done, then you shouldn’t do it yourself.”
So, what do you think? Was the White House’s response even remotely acceptable? And are both parties guilty of using U.S. soldiers as political pawns? As always, tell us in the comments below!
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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ALL THE GIMMICKS USED IN POLITICS IS AN ASSAULT TO EVERY AMERICAN VOTER. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! IT’S SIMPLE, IF YOU LOVE OUR COUNTRY THEN, MAGA!
We are not some Chinese Communist Country joe biden and never will be,
democrats raise their right hand take an oath to defend our Constitution, yet they spend most of their time trying to destroy, it’s time for traitors and oath breakers to be voted out of office, some need time in jail for review their lost American values Stop trying to pump up your image it’s not happening.
I feel bad for those two Marines I wonder if they realized they were being used for Biden’s anti-American speech.
Those guys aren’t stupid, they know what Biden’s little stunt using them looks like to the rest of the company. Sadly there was nothing they could do about it since they were likely ordered to be there.
They were found to be actors, not real Marines. Their uniforms were not correct either. Check article on RealRawNews.
I’ve asked my House Rep. to follow up on this. A President creating his own troops is treasonous.
The marines were CGI! They weren’t even really there. You guys need to dig into that way deeper and report on this clearly wrong and dishonest presentation. The level these dems are stooping to is beyond belief. If anyone is threatening democracy or the republic, it’s the dems themselves.
I don’t understand CGI? How was this done? Is this ‘Fake news.’
He’s claiming the Marines weren’t really there, but that the Democrats used imagery to make it appear as if they were. I don’t know or care – Biden either had Marines present or made us believe he did, giving the impression that he’d send Marines out to get the fascist MAGA supporters – which anyone should see as wrong.
MAGA!!
It was a long over due speech.
Michele, you are drinking the spiked KoolAid… beware! Why do Democrats like yourself buy into propaganda from the left? Open your eyes… Are you better off than you were 3 years ago?
P.S. overdue is only one word.
I did not watch but I did find it offensive in pictures. What I thought the pictures expressed was he has the military behind him and the MAGA crowd will not win.
His words would not have changed your impression.
U may think the military is behind u, I know for a fact, many are fed up with your woke idiocy, by whiteragemilley/darthvaderaustin,who have made a mess of everything.They are as much to blame,as hidenbiden, who listens to no one, but doesn’t have a dam clue what’s going on.Now that the FBI and big tech admitted they interfered in the election, we can remove hidenbiden, and put real president back in.MAGA is coming/ULTRAMAGA is coming/ and all others u just trashed as being the enemy,be careful what u wish for.Half the country u just slandered, is a hell of a lot of votes, thanks again pal,only u would be ignorant, enough to do what u did.
Those Marines should have arrested biden He is a Treasonous Traitor then the rest of his administration congress
To my knowledge, neither party has ever used the military in blatantly political speeches before. This was an abuse of power by.Biden. I would say exactly the same if it had been Trump.
Expand your knowledge, many Presidential speeches have Marines nearby. There are photos of Reagan, both Bush’s, Clinton and Obama with Marines in the background.
Please find me a speech when any President other than Biden uses the military in the background and in close enough words declares a physical war with his opposers.
The words of the speech were previewed by Congress and the military. It was a party-oriented speech, and none dispute that. So military aren’t to be there. There are actual military orders.
The Obamas used Marines to hold umbrellas over them.
This argument is BS, search the WEB you’ll find photos for Reagan, both Bush’s, Clinton, Obama with Marines in the background. It is normal for Presidents to have Marines nearby when giving a Presidential speach
Those Marines were put there made to look like they were there to support Biden That is not true Those Marines were just doing assigned duties As a Maine veteran with 10 years service that I would say about 99% of Marines hate Biden So no it has nothing to do with respect In Biden’s case you respect the billet that he is holding at the time The individual must earn the respect for themselves Biden has assured everyone in uniform that he cannot be trusted him They know Biden and his crew would not hesitate leaving you behind
Everything Joe Biden accused republicans of doing is exactly what the democrats have done in their administration !! Joe doesn’t take responsibility for the bad economy, the problem with millions entering USA illegally increasing fentanyl in USA, the problems in schools, inflation, destroying the 2nd amendment, high gas prices, pushing for electric cars with no electrical solutions, dividing the USA racism, confusing young children about their gender.,,all caused by the democrats ..NOT Republicans. MEGA Trump supporters are not demons as Joe says. They are patriots who love our country and all that it was before Biden took office. Biden destroys our freedom, our safety, our financial future and he has no morals. It’s obvious Biden is afraid of Trump with his invasion of Mar Lago. Hillary Clinton And Hunter Biden should be arrested. Even democrats are sick of Biden and his Demorats. The 34 percent in favor of Biden need to wake up. We need a red wave and Bidens way about serving our country is pushing for the red wave.
Obviously, the propaganda arm of the democrat party (or is it really just the Obama party now) is using sophisticated imagery to send subliminal messages to the viewers of this speech. Using color and military members to plant reassuring ideas in the minds of his supporters and fear in the minds of his opponents. His own gestures and speaking style was that of an historical tyrant, like Hitler or Castro. As others have said, outside of the protests on Jan6, he is accusing mothers and fathers at school board meetings, families working to make ends meet in his self-inflicted inflationary economy, families and truckers trying to pay for fuel, and mostly just ordinary Americans who do not agree with the way he is driving the country into the ground, with being seditionists, terrorists, and law breakers. Threatening them with the US military which was never intended to be used against the citizens or as political pawns. This is what authoritarian, totalitarian, dictatorial rule, looks like. The same symbolism used by North Korea and the CCP. You are either witnessing this coup imploding or the beginning of the end. It is up to you. I hope you decide to let this aberration and abomination implode as it should.
Didnt need Marines at rear of stage
Bad optics
I felt like he was sending a subliminal message to us, threatening us with use of military force if we don’t sign on to the “progressive” agenda.
Those appeared to be fake military which is treasonous for a President to create. Marines have said that their parade rest was not official USMC protocol; the men at the speech held their hands in front over their midsections. I’ve asked my House Rep., an Army Commander, to check into it. If they were fake, then the military needs to address a President creating his own troops.