Warren, Senate Democrats Demand Trump Defense Department Nominee Withdraw, Explain Attacks on Military Leaders, Calls to Use Military Against Civilians

General Tata has a record of bigoted remarks and conspiracy theories, which originally sank his nomination to a top Pentagon role in 2020
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, led six Senate Democrats in calling for retired Brigadier General Anthony Tata, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD[P&R]), to withdraw his nomination and explain his past attacks on military leaders and calls to politicize the military.
Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined in signing the letter. Senators Duckworth and Hirono are also members of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel.
“Given your history related to DoD personnel and other matters, we are concerned that, if confirmed, you will not be able to effectively support servicemembers and their families, risking the military’s ability to recruit and retain personnel and undermining military readiness,”wrote the senators.
In 2020, Tata was nominated for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the third-highest-ranking DoD official. His nomination fell apart after reports revealed several bigoted and false remarks, includingcalling President Obamaa “terrorist leader,” and the Army watchdogfoundhe violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice by committing adultery. Senator Warrenled the callfor him to withdraw his nomination and resign his position as a senior advisor to the Defense Secretary.
Now, the senators are pressing him to withdraw and explain more recent comments, including
Calling for apurge of senior military leaders, including “every 4 star appointed by Biden,” and
Calling forpoliticizing the militaryby choosing leaders who are “[a]ll oars in the water to achieve Trump agenda 47” and suspending a law that prevents the military from being used against the American people.
“These comments are especially disturbing given the destructive actions the DoD has already taken with regard to servicemembers and civilians,”said the senatorsin reference to the Pentagon’s recenteliminationof diversity, equity, and inclusion, along withattacks onfemale military heroes and military heroes of color.
If confirmed, Tata would be responsible for establishing, implementing, and overseeing policies and recruitment impacting millions of servicemembers, civilian employees, and their families.
“Given your past disparaging remarks about servicemembers, and your history of inappropriate activity we are concerned that, if confirmed, you will not be able to effectively support servicemembers and their families, risking the military’s ability to recruit and retain personnel and undermining military readiness… We urge you to withdraw your nomination,”concluded the lawmakers.
The senators asked Tata, should he choose to not withdraw his nomination, to clarify, by May 12, 2025, his past bigoted remarks, conspiracy theories, calls to politicize the military, views on transgender people and women serving in the military, and make ethics commitments related to 4Ever Charge, an EV charging station franchise for which he currently serves as the director.
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