In a move that raised eyebrows, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin personally weighed in on the historic Supreme Court decision overturning the decades-old Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.
In a statement posted to the Defense Department’s website, Austin said the Pentagon is working to “ensure” that employees will have access to “reproductive healthcare as permitted by federal law.”
“Nothing is more important to me or to this Department than the health and well-being of our Service members, the civilian workforce and DOD families,” he said.
“I am committed to taking care of our people and ensuring the readiness and resilience of our Force. The Department is examining this decision closely and evaluating our policies to ensure we continue to provide seamless access to reproductive health care as permitted by federal law,” the statement read.
No sooner had it been posted than Austin came under fire for personally weighing in.
“Abortion has absolutely nothing to do with troop readiness,” one Twitter user pointed out.
Abortion has absolutely nothing to do with troop readiness. https://t.co/53vlu4YsVH
— Ungovernable Redneck (@WhatnextEthel) June 24, 2022
Many others agreed.
Instead of focusing on the growing threat and the readiness of our military the DOD secretary puts on a pussy hat to comment on civilian matters https://t.co/KJWU2U8uRi
— JC (@EternalQuest27) June 24, 2022
Focus on the military and our readiness. You don’t need to tweet about this. SCOTUS did what they needed to do, and that should be supported by our military. Don’t forget that
— whydoyoulie (@whydoyoulie8196) June 24, 2022
If nothing was more important than the health of service members, you wouldn’t be illegally forcing unnecessary experimental vaccines on them. And you wouldn’t have created the conditions that led to 13 being killed in Afghanistan during the botched withdraw.
— John N. (@JohnN00343673) June 24, 2022
Here comes the WOKE Secretary worry about shi🤡☝️that doesn’t concern him..Worry about a war we will never win now..I can’t wait for Republicans to take over and FIRE YOU ALL:.
— Runia🌟❤️🇺🇸 (@IAmNumberONEMO1) June 24, 2022
Other Twitter users zeroed in on the Secretary of Defense’s use of the term “federal law.”
Let me help you @SecDef – Federal Law Prohibits use of your personnel, funds, or facilities for abortion. https://t.co/zZKw7gBjJG
— Col. Rob Maness ret. 1776 (@RobManess) June 24, 2022
There is no federal law. It is now up to states to decide for themselves the best way to deal with the abortion issue. Hey Lloyd! Go back to dealing with military readiness and preparedness! Thanks! https://t.co/IdjrQI5thO
— Michael@oracle (@februaryoracle) June 24, 2022
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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