Space Force Commander Is Fired for Warning of the Spread of ‘Critical Race Theory Rooted in Marxism’ Throughout Military

A Space Force commander has been removed from his post after blasting diversity and inclusion training in the military as ‘critical race theory rooted in Marxism’.

Lt Col. Matthew Lohmeier appeared on a podcast to promote his new self published book when he made the comments which led to a ‘loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead’, according to a statement from the Space Force.

Lohmeier said: ‘The diversity, inclusion and equity industry and the trainings we are receiving in the military…is rooted in critical race theory, which is rooted in Marxism.

‘Since taking command as a commander about 10 months ago, I saw what I consider fundamentally incompatible and competing narratives of what America was, is and should be.

‘That wasn’t just prolific in social media, or throughout the country during this past year, but it was spreading throughout the United States military. And I had recognized those narratives as being Marxist in nature.’

He described the the New York Times 1619 Project as ‘anti-American’, adding: ‘It teaches intensive teaching that I heard at my base – that at the time the country ratified the United States Constitution, it codified white supremacy as the law of the land.

‘If you want to disagree with that, then you start (being) labeled all manner of things including racist.’

A spokesperson told The Military Times: ‘This decision was based on public comments made by Lt. Col. Lohmeier in a recent podcast.

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Lohmeier, a former fighter pilot, had been the commander of 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base Colorado.

In November last year he received a Thanksgiving call from President Donald Trump after joining the Space Force the previous month.

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Lohmeier told The Washington Examiner: ‘What you see happening in the U.S. military at the moment is that if you’re a conservative, then you’re lumped into a group of people who are labeled extremists, if you’re willing to voice your views.

‘And if you’re aligned with the Left, then it’s OK to be an activist online because no one’s gonna hold you accountable.’

He said active service members have written to thank him for his comments ‘because we don’t have a voice anymore’.

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Members of the military are allowed to express their personal opinions when not in uniform but are prohibited from ‘partisan political activity’.

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Lohmeier had said of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s diversity and inclusion program: ‘I don’t demonize the man, but I want to make it clear to both him and every service member this agenda — it will divide us. It will not unify us.’

Austin in February ordered military leaders to spend time talking to their troops about extremism in the ranks.

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Lohmeier’s book Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military looks at the ‘impact of a neo-Marxist agenda’ on American security.

He has said he discussed the book with his superiors prior to writing it.

In an email to The Military Times Lohmeier said: ‘My intent never has been to engage in partisan politics.

‘I have written a book about a particular political ideology (Marxism) in the hope that our Defense Department might return to being politically non-partisan in the future as it has honorably done throughout history.’