The Defense Department is taking heat for a tweet celebrating a U.S. Army major’s decision to come out as female.
On Sunday, the Defense Department tweeted, “Maj. Rachel Jones found solace after coming out as a transgender female. Her journey from battling depression & suicidal thoughts to embracing authenticity inspires us all.”
“Jones faced deep-rooted challenges on her path to self-acceptance. In a world where LGBTQ+ voices were often marginalized, she battled depression and contemplated suicide,” it continued.
Finally, the tweet stated, “Today, her resilience shines as a hope for others facing similar struggles.”
Jones faced deep-rooted challenges on her path to self-acceptance. In a world where LGBTQ+ voices were often marginalized, she battled depression and contemplated suicide. Today, her resilience shines as a hope for others facing similar struggles.
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) July 2, 2023
The decision to celebrate the story did not go over well with some on Twitter.
Donald Trump Jr. tweeted, “Gonna be hard to beat China if you can’t even beat Twitter Ratios.”
Gonna be hard to beat China if you can’t even beat Twitter Ratios. https://t.co/mzUolpUg8G
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 3, 2023
“What the hell is your purpose anymore?” asked conservative commentator Dana Loesch.
What the hell is your purpose anymore? https://t.co/WqaJDdTEOK
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) July 2, 2023
Conservative commentator Ian Miles Cheong tweeted, “Good to know that the US military has suicidally depressed transgender officers in leadership positions.”
Good to know that the US military has suicidally depressed transgender officers in leadership positions. https://t.co/KPUyxyN9aD
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) July 2, 2023
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) tweeted, “THIS is why recruiting is taking a hit. THIS is why patriotic young men [and] women don’t want to join the military anymore. This WOKE crap needs to END! It’s putting our country in DANGER!”
THIS is why recruiting is taking a hit. THIS is why patriotic young men & women don’t want to join the military anymore. This WOKE crap needs to END! It’s putting our country in DANGER! https://t.co/gqD59UkLCB
— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) July 3, 2023
“The woke US military. Can’t imagine why they fail to inspire sufficient numbers of young men willing to risk death to fight the country’s wars,” wrote conservative author Rod Dreher.
The woke US military. Can’t imagine why they fail to inspire sufficient numbers of young men willing to risk death to fight the country’s wars. #MoralisticTherapeuticBellicosity https://t.co/3A4Kew9Xoc
— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) July 2, 2023
Several users suggested such messaging played a role in the military’s failure to meet its recruiting goals.