The leadership at an Air Force base in North Dakota sent a text message to service members to warn them of the dangers of being near a downtown rally that featured a speaker from a pro-Trump organization.
“Leaders, please exercise caution if downtown this weekend,” reads the text message that was sent to Minot Air Force Base personnel, adding that anyone who was thinking about going downtown should “be careful” and “reach out for any concerns.”
At issue was a planned Nov. 17 event dubbed the “Dakota Patriot Rally” at the state fairgrounds in Minot, and the text warned personnel “to be cautious” if they were in the area, especially because some rally-goers “could be confrontational to military members.”
The text, which was shared with the popular “Air Force amen/nco/snco” Facebook page, also noted that the event would feature a guest speaker from Turning Point Action, which the warning noted is an “alt-right” organization.
Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) organization founded in 2019, typically promotes conservative values and has a history of support for former President Donald Trump.
Though the group has attracted controversy for questioning the results of the 2020 presidential election and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, it has become a mainstay in conservative political circles. According to a report from the New York Times, the group’s July 2023 ACTCON conference in Florida drew about 6,000 attendees and included speaking engagements by Trump and about a third of Republican presidential candidates who were declared at the time.
The Dakota Patriot Rally speaker about whom the text warned was Turning Point Action Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer, according to the event website, which noted Bowyer is a “conservative activist” who worked in several political positions before joining Turning Point USA.
The text message to members at Minot Air Force Base warned “that participation with groups such as Turning Point Action could jeopardize their continued service in the U.S. military.”
Reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Turning Point Action noted that the event was not recognized officially by the organization but called the text from leaders “absolutely appalling.”
“Tyler Bowyer was simply a keynote speaker.
Secondly, Turning Point Action is not alt-right, it’s a mainstream conservative organization and Tyler Bowyer is not some fringe personality—he’s the COO of TPAction, an RNC committeeman from the state of Arizona, and one of the most accomplished political organizers in the country,” the spokesperson said.
“Lastly, Mr. Bowyer and attendees of this event are not ‘confrontational to military members,’ they’re some of the US Military’s most ardent supporters.”
The spokesperson also took issue with the idea that participation with the organization could jeopardize a service member’s career, calling the warning “shocking and totally unacceptable.”
“How dare they dissuade servicemen and women from affiliating with conservative groups and leaders,” the spokesperson said.
“This should set off alarm bells throughout North Dakota and DC, that something is terribly wrong at the Minot Air Force base.
This also warrants an immediate congressional hearing and investigation, and whoever is responsible should be held accountable.
It’s exactly this type of poison that has caused the Air Force to miss its recruiting goal for the first time in decades.”
The Air Force referred a Fox News Digital request for comment to Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs, who did not immediately respond.
The text message also alludes to a shooting that happened in Minot on Nov. 17, noting that it is “unclear if it was related” to the Dakota Patriot Rally. According to the Minot Daily News, that shooting happened in northwest Minot and resulted in a 29-year-old man being hospitalized while a suspect fled the scene. The state fairgrounds where the Dakota Patriot Rally took place is in the far eastern portion of the city.
But reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the Minot Police Department said that “the shooting was not related to the Dakota Patriot Rally.”
From the Dakota Patriot rally website:
MEET OUR FEATURED GUEST
Tyler Bowyer is a 7th Generation Arizonan and conservative activist. He got his start in politics after returning from missionary service to Russia, igniting a strong desire to combat Marxist-Leninist philosophy from entering the American political mainstream.
Tyler immediately joined College Republicans where he served as President of one of the largest chapters in the US. Following that, he was tapped by Governor Jan Brewer to serve on the Arizona Board of Regents. During his term as Student Regent he led the charge to defund a union-style automatic due that was added to every student’s tuition bill— effectively shuttering an influential left-leaning lobbyist organization at the Arizona Capitol. He also bucked the establishment during his tenure by publicly opposing “Medicaid Expansion” and being the lone Regent to vote in opposition to the plan.
Tyler has served as Precinct Committeeman, Congressional Advisory Chairman, Legislative District Chairman, County Chairman of the largest Republican-held County in America and helped organize and host the first “Trump Rally” in July of 2015.
Tyler joined Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA in 2015 later becoming Chief Operating Officer overseeing the nation’s largest and most impactful field program, organizing some of the nation’s largest activist events and reaching hundreds of millions in digital initiatives. In 2019, he also took on the role of COO of Turning Point Action the 501(c)(4) organization that operates the nationwide youth effort “Students for Trump.”
Also on the same website (are these statements so radical that the US Air Force would warn servicemembers away? These ‘fundamentals’ would only be a threat to Marxists):
The Fundamentals
A Patriot believes in family, faith, and community.
A Patriot believes that all people are created equally, no matter the color of their skin.
A Patriot believes in taking individual responsibility and doesn’t pass the buck to others.
A Patriot is grateful and will always honor and respect the sacrifice of others ensuring our freedoms today.
A Patriot believes in service over self.
🚨🚨Leadership at Air Force base in North Dakota warns airmen not to attend rally featuring Turning Point Action’s Tyler Bower or risk ‘jeopardizing’ military career
The DoD has declared WAR on conservatives. Congress should immediately investigate this absurd, unhinged threat.… pic.twitter.com/3PHGz4ZHGM
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 21, 2023
Full text:
🚨🚨Leadership at Air Force base in North Dakota warns airmen not to attend rally featuring Turning Point Action’s Tyler Bower or risk ‘jeopardizing’ military career
The DoD has declared WAR on conservatives. Congress should immediately investigate this absurd, unhinged threat.
On the condition of anonymity, I have now heard directly from servicemen at this Air Force base who have confirmed these texts are real.
Their firsthand accounts reveal that while the base is made up mostly of conservatives, all leadership that has been promoted under Joe Biden now skews FAR LEFT.
All white, Christian conservatives are marginalized. DEI and CRT are pumped into everything the commanders at the base do. All promotions and awards are given to those who buy into ideological based trainings.
They also tell me conservatives are leaving the military in droves, recruiting is abysmal and instead of changing directions, the leadership is doubling down.
Joe Biden and the far-left are actively undermining our military readiness and America’s national security.
The Department of Defense Declares War on Conservatives
🚨BREAKING: @CoryMillsFL reacts to the Air Force in North Dakota warning airmen not to attend a Turning Point Action rally or risk ‘jeopardizing’ military career, says he will ask Charlie Kirk to testify at a committee hearing on the incident.
“I want Charlie Kirk to come sit… pic.twitter.com/ICsayNkC0J
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 21, 2023
Leaders at Minot Air Force Base told airmen that their careers could be jeopardized if they attended a conservative event off base. Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE!!! They’re THREATENING conservative military members and robbing them of their constitutional rights. I am so PISSED! This…
— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) November 21, 2023
“Leaders at Minot Air Force Base told airmen that their careers could be jeopardized if they attended a conservative event off base. Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE!!! They’re THREATENING conservative military members and robbing them of their constitutional rights. I am so PISSED! This woke GARBAGE will stop! The Congressional investigation starts RIGHT NOW!”
Air Force base in North Dakota warns airmen not to attend rally featuring pro-Trump Tyler Bower or risk ‘jeopardizing’ military career.
Our men & women of the Armed Forces fight for our freedoms only to be threatened/ denied by leftist leadership.
This command should start…
— Cory Mills (@CoryMillsFL) November 21, 2023
“Air Force base in North Dakota warns airmen not to attend rally featuring pro-Trump Tyler Bower or risk ‘jeopardizing’ military career.
Our men & women of the Armed Forces fight for our freedoms only to be threatened/ denied by leftist leadership.
This command should start preparing for an Armed Services Committee hearing/ investigation NOW!”
Fallout from reported MAFB message to service members against attending conservative event in Minot (KX News, North Dakota, 21 NOV 23)
. . . . An irate North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer took issue with the post, apparently sent to a public Air Force-themed Facebook page.
“First of all, if somebody disguised as a ‘leader’ at Minot Air Force Base actually put out this hyper-partisan left wing political message, they need to rescind it immediately.
They need to apologize for it profusely and then they need to encourage the airmen at Minot Air Force Base who are inclined to attend a conservative, traditional American values rally to do exactly that and bring a friend.
Then that leader, the so-called leader needs to be removed from their position.”
A statement reportedly from the Minot Air Force Base was posted to the group Tuesday afternoon, stating,
“Minot Air Force Base is aware that an unofficial message about a local event in the City of Minot was sent in a text message group. The message was based on in correct data and sent outside of official base messaging platforms. Once the error was identified, base security officials corrected the message traffic to categorize the event as a local political fundraiser, with no security concerns. Further, the updated message communicated there were no issues with military members participating in the personal capacity — in line with their First Amendment rights. All Air Force Airmen have a Constitutional right to freedom of assembly. That said, there are some limitations placed on an Airman’s ability to participate in political events in an official capacity. These limitations are set by ethical guidelines in the Code of Federal Regulations in order to maintain the politically neutral stance of the US Military.”
What People Are Saying
(Some of the 9.9K comments on this article)
“In recent years, we’ve seen the ranks combed through seeking Trump supporters. At about the same time, our wing received a message stating it was okay and acceptable to attend a BLM rally in the host city of our base. We have capable individuals in all branches, but our military is compromised and degraded. Somebody better wake up.”
“Another “WOKE” AF commander infected with TDS is putting out misinformation and outright lies. The Air Force should be ashamed of themselves…and I say that as a USAF vet. To the fellow airmen in Minot…go and enjoy the rally!”
“Not a good look by Air Force to be politically partisan like this. Especially when they’re desperate for recruits, and especially when a vast majority of the would be recruits are in fact patriots who believe in American idea, America first, and Trump.”
“This is exactly why I and many other of my Senior Field Grade Officers decided to leave while we were still in good standing. Many of us saw the writing on the wall. The mandatory CRT training was the final straw. While messages like this are not uncommon and fall under “protecting the force”, this one steps over the line by making a characterization of the group as “alt-right” and then threatens, not so subtly, your career. It appears the Great Purge is continuing to accelerate in the military. So sad to see.”
“Military trying to brainwash members to thinking conservatives are bad ….. no wonder enrollment numbers aere way down.”
“My son is a Captain in the AF. When he graduated officer school, Trump was president. I was so proud of him, and glad he had a commander-in-chief who would have his back. Since then, Bidet was installed as PINO, and the AF has become as woke as any college campus. My son was put through a re-education/indoctrination program in order to keep his commission. He has been completely brainwashed now, totally avoids his parents, has rejected his faith, and is 100% in line with the Dem agenda. I’m still proud of his service; but I’ll never forgive them for what they’ve done to him.”
“Once again, the US military in which I had once proudly served is demonstrating its commitment to ultra liberal woke ideology, destroying the trust and confidence that Americans used to have in it. It will take a serious house cleaning and dismissal of every officer who participated in this type of unconstitutional intimidation against service members to get it back on track.”
“There are numerous ways to “steal” an election. This is one of them. If you’re being reminded that your career could be on the line based on how you vote, that’s a big problem. We’ve been seeing this for years now. it’s how the Left operates.”
“Dems frequently use scare tactics to try to keep control of citizens. If they can keep people from hearing Republicans speak they only get to hear Dem propaganda. The way that Biden and the Dems are destroying our country they need to use every tactic they can to stay in power.”
“This is just another example of a complete disregard of our Constitution, by the civilian and military leadership. This is the worst crop of leaders in my lifetime. By their actions and deeds they are Marxist Bolsheviks. The sad part is, they don’t even know their Bolsheviks. So now, you can add the Chairforce to the list of organizations run by mentally stunted Bolsheviks.”
“And they wonder why recruitment numbers are at all time low.”
“So what do service members fight and die for? The right to assemble and vote for their choice. No wonder their recruitment is down. No normal, freedom loving American wants to serve a totalitarian regime.”
“Any warning not to attend BLM or Hamas rallies? The military pushing airmen not to attend a political/pro USA event? The long tentacles of the DNC has infiltrated the military. I love our servicemen but unfortunately, military leadership has become very questionable. As my son who served 12 year said…”I didn’t seperate with the Air Force, the Air Force seperated with me”. They wonder why recruitmentis at an all time low.”
“Appears Air Force and other armed forces have adopted Marxist theology making them patties for CCP, Russia, N. Korea, Turkey, Iran etc. Will see how well DEI and tax payer funded trans surgery will do when s–t hits the fan.”
“I’d like to know when our military ‘commanders’ became obsequious servants of the fascist Left?”
“I refuse to promote military service for our family members. We’re 3rd generation service members. Too woke, too corrupt, and the way they handled the shots was deplorable. They can not be trusted!”
“As a retired USAF colonel, I’m appalled at this whole situation. Military members should be encouraged to participate in political activity, but not in uniform or representing themselves as a military member to advance a political cause. Next they’ll be telling our airmen to be careful who they vote for.”
“Retired Navy commander here. Sounds like someone in senior leadership needs a good retraining. As long as they’re not in uniform or representing the USAF, they can go, participate, or even run for office.”
“That’s EXACTLY what this sounded like when the message said participation with this group could jeopardize their careers. I’m a retired Army vet of 24yrs and I agree 100% with you. Service leadership has NO BUSINESS trying to influence or dissuade service members from these types of events.”
“As a member of several post military service organizations I can state for a fact that the vast majority of conservatives are not anti-military but just the opposite. Conservative right-winger supports the American military a lot more than the vocal woke left-wingers. The base commander that allowed that email threatening the careers of anyone attending that rally has broken his oath of enlistment by not defending the constitutional right of free speech.”
“Captain, US Army, Medical Discharge. If my CO had handed me that memo for distribution, I would have marched it straight over his head. It’s a disgrace from a commissioned officer that is abusing his authority and violating his oath. Distributing it would have been following an illegal order. That’s a court martial offense.”
“As a retired First Sergeant, I agree with you 100%. This was an intentional act designed to intimidate Airmen on their personal political beliefs. It’s absolutely disgraceful and can only divide people.”
“As a retired USAF MSgt I fully agree with you colonel. Unfortunately if it was a Pride protest they would likely have been told they had to attend. I can see why recruiting is so low.”
“Spot on Colonel, as a retired Army SGM I always encouraged my charges to be involved, be informed. Hinting that careers could be jeopardized is leadership by intimidation!”
“They already are telling them who to vote for with this message they circulated. It’s a warning , you will suffer the consequences if you don’t stay away from conservative gatherings of any kind, anywhere, anyplace. This means no promotions, no advancements, maybe inventing a way to bust your rank.”
“Sadly, telling them who to vote for is the end game. The current DEI training is meant to lean them to the left over time.”
“If anyone is confrontational towards military service members, it’s the left. Hence the word “Patriot.” That means we love our service members and our country they protect. Amazing how they try to spin things.”
“Retired MSgt here Sir. This is the new woke AF we are talking about. I still have many friends still serving that have told me about the DEI training that has become mandatory. Only reason I can see to deter anyone from going to a pro-Trump event!!”
“Then the military wonders why patriotic young people are not joining the military. Does anyone at the top have a brain?”
“Parents should do all they can to steer their teens away from military service until it regains its sanity, if ever. That’s what I did. I told my kid not to join and why, so he didn’t. It’s sure not the military I served in. If your kids sign up for the service you can be sure they’re not going to be the same when they return. That’s common and to be expected. You just don’t want them to be exposed to the bad influence that’s there now.”
“My husband and I both retired from the AF many years ago. We were proud to serve our country but now, I wouldn’t enlist for anything. The military has become far too political.”
“I proudly served during the Gulf War. I would not serve today. Like so many other organizations, the military has lost its way and strayed from its mission by allowing politics to seep in and destroy their integrity and credibility.”
“I’m a retired USAF Vet with 24 years of active service. I guess things have changed in the 31 years since I retired because the standing military law WRT public events was this: military members may attend public events while off duty and in civilian clothes. You could not attend in uniform as that may be construed as official endorsement of the event by the branch of service the member belonged to. For military authorities to threaten members’ careers if they participated in a Trump rally shows just how deeply the Biden administration has corrupted the military leadership. The military should NEVER support one party over another. That’s third world stuff and who ever authored that message at Minot AFB needs to be held accountable.”
“I proudly served in the Air Force for 15 years, 1978-93. That Air Force is GONE. Current leadership sees patriotism and 1st Amendment speech as dangerous. The US government under this administration equates patriotism with terrorism, knowing that a true patriot doesn’t concur with the “reimagining “ of America.”
“And the military wonders why it can’t make their recruitment goals. At the rate they’re going, there won’t be anyone to fill their ranks.”
“Is there any doubt that this misguided liberalism has infiltrated our military? As a retiree I am so appalled at how politicized our military has become. God help us all if we find ourselves in an all-out war. We might have good service members who can fight but they won’t be led by the best.”
“As a veteran, myself….. I thoroughly disgusted by how our military is playing politics and favorites with the political process.”
“My dad is a retired AF Brigadier General (pilot), and retired in 1994. My brother-in-law is a retired AF Colonel (pilot), and his dad is also a retired AF Brig. General (pilot). They are all so glad they retired long before any of this non-sense started.”
“My dad is a retired Army Master Sargent, and I’m a navy vet. We both feel the same way, and we’re both glad that my service-age sons have no interest in joining.”
“Retired USAF Lt Col here. The politicized military by government bureaucrats is not the Air Force I served in. Military members must always beware, in or out of uniform, not to bring discredit upon the service. However, off-duty political affiliation is 100% protected by the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. You don’t give that up, just by serving. To the extent that military leaders have succumbed to letting the services be politicized, those leaders need to re-read our Constitution. If they can’t uphold it, as written, they should resign.”
“I was once a proud veteran of the USAF but since 2021 and the woke agenda. I am ashamed of the USAF.”
“This is exactly why no one should join the military. The leaders are all entirely Woke, with no actual war fighting capabilities. You could get killed working under such poor leadership.”
“I spent my life in the service. I’ve always helped people interested in joining. About a year ago I began telling anyone who asks, not to join the US military. Very sad.”
“I served in the Army at a time when being a Patriot was encouraged and honored. I do not want any of my children enlisting nor any future grand kids. This country is going full on communist.”
“Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and to all of you Vets out there and your families. In spite of the Communists trying to ruin the west, I think we will pull through. Its in Gods hands. It always has been. And it always will be.”
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