Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator Bryce Henson's career is on the line. At this very hour, Henson, an active-duty SEAL previously with SEAL Team 6, is under investigation.
Why, you ask? It appears he attended rallies with people wearing Proud Boys attire.
“While Sailors are always allowed to exercise their rights to freedom of speech and assembly if they follow the law and policy restriction, participation with hate or extremist groups of any kind is contradictory to the core values of the Navy and is not tolerated by NSW,” a Naval Special Warfare Command spokesperson told Task & Purpose on Monday.
“As a matter of policy, we will not release specific details about the ongoing investigation,” they added. “We ask for the public's patience and understanding as we proceed with this investigation. Our priority is to ensure a fair and just process for all parties involved.”
Task & Purpose reports:
Henson enlisted in the Navy in May 2010 and his past assignments include serving with the Joint Special Operations Command's Development Group (DEVGRU), also known as “Seal Team 6,” according to his service record, which was provided to Task & Purpose. Since April, he has been assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Center at Coronado, California. He became a chief petty officer in April 2021.
KPBS, a San Diego television station, first reported that Henson has appeared at several rallies along with other people wearing attire frequently used by the Proud Boys, a white supremacist group that has a history of brawling with left-wing protesters.
Henson declined to comment when contacted by Task & Purpose on Monday.
A source with knowledge of the case told Task & Purpose that the Navy has yet to find evidence that shows Henson is an active member of an extremist group.
A parental rights group issued a statement referring to Henson as Ben Richards, a pseudonym Henson used when speaking to reporters at a rally:
Currently involved in an ongoing investigation, Ben is unavailable for comment. Nonetheless, he is confident that the investigation will vindicate him of any wrongdoing, demonstrating that he has only been a dedicated and responsible father, and, a hero for knowingly assuming risk to help parents under attack.
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