U.S. Army Corp. Jesse Thorsen could be disciplined for violating military protocol after he endorsed Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, during a televised event before the Iowa caucuses, while the Defense Department is preparing extra guidance for service members regarding the limits on their political expression.
Thorsen “potentially violated [military rules about political activity] Jan. 3 when he stepped onto a stage at Ron Paul’s headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa, during the Iowa Caucus to offer a personal endorsement,” the American Forces Press Service (AFPS) said today. “His chain of command is aware of the issue and is considering appropriate disciplinary action to take,” AFPS reported based on an exchange with an Army Reserve spokeswoman.
The reservist joined Paul at the podium during an event earlier this week while wearing his uniform, and described Paul’s foreign policy as “better than any candidate out there.” AFPS explains that “military members, for example, may attend political meetings or rallies only as spectators and not in uniform,” nor can that “make public political speeches.”
