Internal communications reveal an orchestrated effort to showcase soldiers based on political affiliation and physical appearance during President Donald Trump’s Tuesday visit to Fort Bragg, according to documents first reported by Military.com.
Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived at the post to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday week, though cheers and chants made the event look more closely aligned to a campaign rally.
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Steve Beynon, a national security correspondent with military.com, began receiving several messages from people ranging from junior soldiers to high-ranking Pentagon officials, who were concerned about the Army’s compromised neutrality.
“The Army historically has bent over backwards to maintain an apolitical image,” Beynon said. “The way some of these troops behaved would likely violate a whole host of Defense Department regulations, which effectively prohibit partisan activity in uniform. That is what was so shocking about this event in particular.”
Internal 82nd Airborne Division communications revealed specific directives on who was chosen to sit behind the president.
The memo included orders such as “soldiers sitting in the bleachers are to be fit and not look fat,” and, “if any soldiers have political views that are in opposition to the current administration and they don’t want to be in the audience then they need to speak with their leadership and get swapped out.”
There was also a merchandise stand present at the celebration called Campaign 365.
In a statement to WRAL News, a Fort Bragg spokesperson said the Army remains committed to its core values and apolitical service to the nation.
“The Army does not endorse political merchandise or the views it represents,” the statement read. “The vendor’s presence is under review to determine how it was permitted and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.”
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Skepticism resulting from Tuesday’s event coincides with U.S. military members being deployed to Los Angeles during protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“This is a week that is very problematic for the Army's image that could definitely have lasting effects on its relationship with the public as an institution that wants to appear apolitical,” Beynon said.