[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4583-S4584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Matthew Lohmeier

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
carefully consider their vote on the nomination of Mr. Matthew Lohmeier 
to be Under Secretary of the Air Force.
  The Under Secretary is the second highest ranking official in the Air 
Force. This position is responsible for running the day-to-day 
operations of the Department and assisting the Secretary in leading the 
largest fleet of aircraft and space assets in the world. Most 
importantly, they are responsible for managing the hundreds of 
thousands of men and women who make up the Air Force and the Space 
Force.
  I have deep concerns about Mr. Lohmeier's fitness to represent these 
men and women. While I appreciate his past military service, his record 
of troubling conduct in uniform, extreme partisanship, and animosity 
toward military members with whom he disagrees politically is, in my 
view, completely disqualifying to be Under Secretary.
  His record of alarming behavior and statements is well-documented. In 
2021, while serving as an Active-Duty Space Force officer in command of 
a large formation, he self-published a book titled: ``Irresistible 
Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American 
Military.'' The book argued that Marxism is rampant within the ranks 
and leading to the collapse of our military and our society.
  As he wrote:

       To be perfectly clear, the path we are on as a country 
     leads us to fratricidal and genocidal warfare.

  While still on Active Duty and command, he went on a far-right 
podcast which was known for spreading misinformation and conspiracy 
theories to advertise his book. All this was done without the knowledge 
or approval of the Department of Defense. Mr. Lohmeier was immediately 
relieved of command when his book and podcast were discovered.
  After leaving the Space Force, he has continued to write and speak 
about his extreme beliefs. Among his controversial statements, Mr. 
Lohmeier called the January 6 attack a government-led ``false flag and 
hoax at the Capitol.''
  I would ask all of my colleagues who were there that day and who were 
in danger if it were a hoax and a false flag operation. I think, 
honestly, they would admit, no, it was an attack on the constitutional 
responsibilities of Congress to certify the election of the President 
of the United States. In that hoax, police officers were injured and 
killed, and many, many of us were terribly concerned about our safety 
and the safety of our staffs.
  So, if you believe it was a hoax, then you agree with Mr. Lohmeier. 
If you think it was and is an attack on our Constitution and on 
ourselves, this is not the gentleman to be the Under Secretary of the 
U.S. Air Force.
  He has appeared on dozens of podcasts and has made hundreds of social 
media posts about his distrust of American servicemembers, as he wrote 
in his book:

       In one respect, U.S. military servicemembers are no 
     different than members of the People's Liberation Army.

  That is an interesting comparison--equating American soldiers with 
the members of the People's Liberation Army.
  He went on to say:

       Each is comprised of humans--

  U.S. Army, PLA--

     humans who share a common nature. Because we share the same 
     nature, what Marxist ideology does to the Chinese military 
     servicemember it will do to the American.

  Now, that is absolutely absurd. I don't think anyone in the United 
States or in the U.S. military will believe that our military will be 
transformed into a Marxist fighting organization equivalent to the 
Chinese People's Liberation Army. Yet that is what he is talking about, 
and I have read a great deal of his writing.
  I had the opportunity and the privilege not only to attend West Point 
but to teach at West Point. I would question his understanding of 
Marxism and his understanding, frankly, of the character of the 
American soldier, sailor, airman, marine, and guardian. It is 
profoundly not only deficient but insulting.
  Let me make one point clear: I am concerned that he has a deeply 
misguided and biased opinion of American military servicemembers and 
their leaders. If confirmed, he would lead an organization that, like 
this country, represents a spectrum of individuals--Republicans, 
Democrats, Independents--of all races and creeds and sexualities. Yet 
his language suggests that he regards many of these men and women as 
adversaries to be rooted out and purged from the force. I am very 
skeptical that servicemembers and civilians who do not share his 
political opinions can trust that they will not be targeted under Mr. 
Lohmeier's tenure. This could be a revenge tour in the Department of 
the Air Force--to get even with those he feels did not treat him 
fairly. That is not the type of individual you want in the position of 
Under Secretary of the Air Force.
  During his confirmation hearing before the Armed Services Committee,

[[Page S4584]]

my colleagues and I pressed him to explain his extreme positions. In 
particular, I urged him to pledge to not seek retribution against any 
military members or civilians whom he has publicly criticized in the 
past, especially as many of them would serve under him if he is 
confirmed. He refused. He refused to make such a commitment. That 
failure significantly increases my concerns that he will be out to 
purge, to seek revenge; not to serve the interests of the U.S. Air 
Force and the United States of America but to work his own personal 
animosities out against those he distrusts.
  Ultimately, the Under Secretary of the Air Force is a position that 
demands wisdom, composure, and character. Our military personnel and, 
indeed, the American people deserve nothing less. I do not believe that 
Mr. Lohmeier is qualified for this position, and I urge my colleagues 
to vote against the nominee.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. OSSOFF. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ricketts). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.