Washington D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Jim Banks (IN-03), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, have led a group of Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army, seeking clarification and corrective action regarding a Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) training held at Fort Liberty. This training reportedly labeled pro-life organizations as “terrorist groups.”
The letter, signed by a total of 25 Representatives including Richard Hudson (NC-09), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Mike Turner (OH-10), and others, criticizes the training for branding several respected pro-life groups as violent extremists. The letter claims the training also suggested that pro-life symbols, including state-issued license plates, were indicators of terrorism, which the Representatives argue is inconsistent with the Army’s commitment to treating all individuals with “dignity and respect.”
In their correspondence, the members requested several actions from the Army:
- Issue a correction to all servicemembers who received the briefing.
- Implement measures to prevent similar claims in the future.
- Discipline those responsible for the training and reassess Army Directive 2024-07 to ensure it does not categorize certain conservative or religious beliefs as extremist.
The letter expresses concern that the training could lead to unnecessary confrontations and profiling of individuals based on their political or religious views. It calls for a review of the processes for creating and approving such training materials, the duration of their use, and their application in other military contexts.
The Representatives are seeking answers to specific questions about the creation, approval, and use of the training materials, as well as the Army’s anti-terrorism guidance and its implications for civilian advocacy of constitutionally protected activities.
The Army has been requested to respond, to address these concerns and clarify its stance on the characterization of pro-life organizations. The letter underscores the importance of maintaining political neutrality and respect for diverse viewpoints within the military.
