A three-star US Army general and an associate professor at West Point Military Academy are alleged to have conspired to find and expose a whistleblower who had criticized President Joe Biden on social media, according to a report by Breitbart. Lieutenant-General Maria Gervais, Army Training and Doctrine Command deputy commander, and Major Jessica Dawson, an “information warfare scientist,” reportedly colluded to bring charges against suspected whistleblower Chief Warrant Officer 2 Samuel Shoemate, as evidenced by emails and text messages obtained by Breitbart.
The investigation into Shoemate was said to have been initiated by an inspector general complaint filed by an aide to one of the generals who Shoemate had mocked on social media. The investigation ultimately found that Shoemate had violated Army regulations by posting derogatory and disrespectful images and memes about senior officials and military leaders. The charges against Shoemate also included contempt towards senior officials and disrespect towards superior commissioned officers.
Shoemate, who operated under the pseudonym Terminal CWO, used various social media accounts to share information about military incidents and serve as a platform for military whistleblowers. Some of the information he shared included the leak of jet fuel into the water supply of the USS Nimitz, which he revealed hours before the sailors onboard were informed by their commanders. He also posted about the Pentagon’s inspector general warning Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that he may be violating federal law by not considering soldiers’ requests for exemption from Covid-19 vaccine requirements. Alongside these informative posts, Shoemate also shared satirical content and memes that mocked senior military figures, including Gervais.
The efforts to uncover Shoemate’s identity reportedly began in 2021, with Dawson allegedly attempting to smear him as a potential insider threat in order to enlist the Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID) to investigate him. After a year of collaboration among like-minded officials within the chain of command, Shoemate faced an official investigation, a reprimand, and ultimately retired from the service, despite having a previously flawless record.
Shoemate responded to the allegations by highlighting the dangers of targeting critics and whistleblowers using resources that should be dedicated to defending the Constitution and the nation. He called on Congress to intervene and establish oversight to ensure that the American people can have confidence in the military.
The incident involving Shoemate comes at a time when public trust in the US military is at a two-decade low, according to a recent Gallup poll. The poll indicated a 10-point decline in trust over the past two years. Furthermore, all branches of the military have struggled to meet recruitment targets, with 2022 being the worst year for recruitment since the end of the draft in 1973.
In conclusion, the alleged conspiracy to find and expose a whistleblower who criticized the Biden administration on social media has raised concerns about the targeting of critics and whistleblowers within the military. The incident underscores the declining public trust in the military and raises questions about the use of resources to silence dissenting voices instead of focusing on defending the nation. The call for congressional intervention and oversight seeks to restore confidence in the military and ensure the preservation of freedoms.
Source link
