The Marines were in uniform at a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, meaning they were either fake or illegally attending a political event in uniform.
Several people dressed as Marines were photographed at a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago:
Either that’s illegal according to UCMJ or they’re not marines, which would be weird https://t.co/BEcKYP8uLN
— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@AdamKinzinger) April 13, 2024
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According to the Guide on Political Activities and Campaigns published in 2011, Marines are prohibited from appearing in uniform at partisan political events:
AS A PRIME EXAMPLE, MARIES AND SAILORS MUST NOT WEAR A UNIFORM WHEN ATTENDING A PARTISAN OR NON-PARTISAN POLITICAL FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY, MEETING, RALLY, DEBATE OR CONVENTION AS A SPECTATOR.
2. MARINES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ARE SUBJECT TO GENERALLY MORE RESTRICTIVE REGULATIONS THAN FEDERAL CIVIL EMPLOYEES. RIF A IS A GENERAL PUNITIVE REGULATION APPLICABLE TO SAILORS, SAILORS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON ACTIVE DUTY. PERMITTED ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING, ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO VOTE, MAKING A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO A POLITICAL PARTY OR CANDIDATE, FULLY PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, AND DISPLAYING A PARTISAN BUMPER STICKER ON A POV.
The prohibited activities include participation in partisan political fundraising activities, the use of the official authority to influence or interfere with an election, mark or participate in partisan coraate, speak before a partisan political meeting, carry out deleted tasks or of OTHERWISE FOR A PARTISAN POLITICAL COMMITTEE OR CANDIDATE DURING A CAMPAIGN, DISPLAY A LARGE POLITICAL SIGN (DISTINCT FROM A BUMPER STICKER) ON A PRIVATE VEHICLE AND DISPLAY A PARTISAN POLITICAL SIGN, POSTER, BANNER OR SIMILAR DEVICE VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT YOUR RESIDENCE ON A MILITARY INSTALLATION (EVEN IF SUCH RESIDENCE IS PART OF A PRIVATIZED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT).
Former Congressman Kinzinger was right. Either the Marines present were fake, or they were illegally present in uniform at a partisan political event. It is illegal for any member of the military to appear in uniform at a partisan political event.
Trump had “Marines” present because ever since he left the White House, the former president has been obsessed with creating a fake White House replica on his properties. Trump tries to give the appearance and create the perception of being a president in exile, when in reality he is a loser who can’t let go.
There are some questions that need to be answered about Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Marines, and if those pictured were active duty service members, they need to be disciplined for their illegal activities.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a member of the White House press pool and a congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a bachelor’s degree in political science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
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