Space Command Leader in Hot Water for Political Tweet

Master Gunnery Sergeant Scott H. Stalker, Senior Enlisted Leader of U.S. Space Command, is finding himself in hot water for a video he posted attacking Fox News host Tucker Carlson in response to Carlson’s comments about the feminization of the military. Stalker joined a chorus of official DOD accounts that broke ranks to attack a civilian media figure.

Over 2 million people have watched the video, in which Stalker criticized Carlson for offering a view on the military “based on zero years of service” – committing the appeal to authority logical fallacy and violating DOD policy that prohibits service members from engaging in political activity or statements while representing the United States military. In the video, Stalker mischaracterizes Tucker Carlson’s position, accusing Carlson of claiming that pregnancy in the military makes the force less lethal, less fit, and less ready:

Stalker reiterates at the end of the video that “those comments were made by an individual who has never served a day in his life,” as if this means that Carlson can’t offer a view on military issues. Most disturbingly, Stalker is likely in violation of DOD Directive 1344.10, which prohibits (among other things) using official authority (such as a DOD social media account) to affect the course or outcome of political issues or “participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.”

Considering Stalker appeared in uniform (very clearly in an official capacity) to criticize a member of the media on a political policy issue, he likely stands in violation of this DOD directive, which also prohibits activities which “may be contrary to the spirit and intent of this Directive.”

Apparently someone got to him, because he backtracked and posted another video to spin the narrative:

Stalker’s behavior – while unbecoming of his uniform and in violation of DOD directives – will likely not cause him any problems because the opinion he expressed attacked an opponent of the Biden administration and the highly-politicized DOD leadership.

Tucker Carlson’s response: