FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
February 28, 2024
Cotton to Austin: Why Was Airman Who Self-Immolated Allowed to Serve?
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, asking him to provide information of the active-duty U.S. airman who self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. on February 25. Senator Cotton asked Secretary Austin to respond to the “serious questions” by March 7 as to why the airman was allowed to serve when he obviously harbored extreme, anti-American views.
Text of the letter may be found here and below.
February 28, 2024
The Honorable Lloyd Austin
U.S. Department of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000
Dear Secretary Austin:
I am writing to you regarding an active-duty U.S. airman’s self-immolation outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. on February 25, 2024. You have made it a top priority to address “extremism” amongst our total force, and this act of horrific violence—in support of a terrorist group—raises serious questions about how this individual was allowed to serve on active duty.
Please provide the following information no later than March 7, 2024:
- The Department has touted its efforts to address “ideological extremism” within its ranks. Was this airman ever identified as exhibiting extremist leanings?
- Did the Department’s anti-extremism training address support for Islamic terrorist groups like Hamas?
- Did the airman display any concerning behavior prior to this incident? If so, what was the behavior? What actions were taken to address that behavior?
- Has the Department determined if the airman had access to classified information? If he had access, did he take any actions that compromised U.S. national security prior to February 25?
- Did you find evidence of support for Islamic terrorist groups in your search for Department of Defense extremists? If so, how did you address that support?
- Have any other military members participated in anti-Israeli actions that violate Department of Defense policy on restricted political activities? If so, was this behavior appropriately addressed?
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
__________________
Tom Cotton
United States Senator