More than 30 House Republicans sent a letter to Gen. David Berger on Friday to demand the release of Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller Jr. after the Marine was placed in a military brig because he spoke out against the Biden Administration’s failed military exit from Afghanistan.
According to The Washington Post, Scheller was relieved of his command shortly after he posted a video on social media calling for senior officials to be held accountable for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in August, an evacuation that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in an attack in Kabul.
“Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller Jr. should be immediately released from the brig and allowed to voluntarily resign from his post,” the House members wrote to Berger on Friday.
“American service members should not be punished for demanding our military leaders stand up and take ownership of their decisions. Especially when those decisions lead to the tragic deaths of 13 service members.”
Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs also spoke out on Twitter to urge Scheller’s release.
“Today, I sent a letter demanding the release of Lt. Col. Scheller who is currently being confined at Camp Lejeune for speaking out against his military leaders for the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Biggs tweeted.
On the positive side, many Americans have stepped up to support Scheller since the news of his military arrest broke. The Pipehitter Foundation has already raised more than $2.4 million.
“LtCol Scheller is an infantry officer with an exemplary career of five deployments and multiple senior awards including a Bronze Star, Army Commendation with ‘V’ for Valor, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Navy Commendations.”
“With 17 years in the Corps, Stu was just a few years away from retirement with a pension and benefits awaiting him, but none of that mattered more than doing what is right – demanding accountability,” the fundraising post said.
Scheller’s original video, posted Aug. 26 to Facebook and LinkedIn, questioned military leaders who abandoned Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.
“I’m not saying we’ve got to be in Afghanistan forever, but I am saying: Did any of you throw your rank on the table and say, ‘Hey, it’s a bad idea to evacuate Bagram Airfield, the strategic airbase, before we evacuate everyone?’” Scheller said.
“Did anyone do that? And when you didn’t think to do that, did anyone raise their hand and say, ‘We completely messed this up?’”
The following day, Scheller posted on Facebook to announce he had been relieved of duty.
What kind of messed up country are we living in when the military can hand an entire nation to terrorists, leave Americans behind, drone strike innocent civilians and the only person punished is a soldier who dared to speak out?
Maybe they just got the wrong guy? The evidence points toward some leaders higher up who need to resign or be punished following the failed departure from Afghanistan. Our recommendation is to start as high up as possible.
As Commander In Chief, Pres Joe Biden should insist Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller be exonerated, released from the brigg & fully reinstated. The President should also humble himself & apologize for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Pres Truman said, “The buck stops here.” Pres Biden should follow that example. Starting as high as possible, to hold those responsible, would be starting with the Commander In Chief.
I support the officers reinstatement and pension . The prayers at the highest level of military accountability should be held accountable for those left behind and the 13 deaths of so called subordinates .
And this is how we treat our career military personnel? Why would any young man or woman want a career in one of the Services when they could be denied their right to free speech under the First Amendment? This is not about disobedience to lawful commands, orders or duty. It’s about political maneuvering to avoid the Truth being revealed. Whoever gave the order to remove that Marine from his command and hold him in the brig should have to answer to We, the People for this outrage. Heads should roll at the highest level. TG
This is the perfect example why the media is politically controlled like China, I remember before when America was AMERICA that information you can heard on every news channel and papers, how much more freedom we are going to loose? IMPEACH P.O,S. BIDEN !!!!!
Back in July there was a posting that a discussion about which airfield to vacate and which to leave open with President Biden and Joint chief is staff. It was suggested to vacate Bagram.
Corrupt Biden has no clue right from wrong! How can he do anything right? Biden has no idea how pathetic he is.
Any patriots left in Congress must get off their asss and personally go to the prison and do it!
Are their any??