Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday said President Trump’s choice to become Army secretary has “intolerant, extreme and deeply disturbing views.”
The New York senator became the highest ranking Democrat in Congress to oppose Tennessee state Sen. Mark Green, whose nomination appeared in jeopardy this week amid rising opposition.
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Trump announced in early April he had chosen Green, a physician and former Army flight surgeon, but House lawmakers, at least six liberal advocacy groups and some faculty members at military universities have urged the Senate to reject him due to past comments about gay marriage, transgender bathroom policies and the teaching of Islam in schools.
“A man who was the lead sponsor of legislation to make it easier for businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ community; opposes gay marriage, which is the law of the land; believes being transgender is a ‘disease;’ supports constricting access to legal contraception; and makes deeply troubling comments about Muslims is the wrong choice to lead America’s Army,” Schumer said in a statement.
Green, a Christian conservative, has denied reports he may withdraw. He has said liberals are deliberately misquoting his statements and targeting him for his faith.
A group of 11 House lawmakers, including Rep. Duncan Hunter and the Tennessee delegation, wrote a letter of support to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman.
They said Green should be judged for his military record, which includes services as a Ranger infantry leader, and not by the past comments.
