Up First from NPR Does the Military Have an Extremism Problem?
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Jan 5, 2025 Tom Bowman, NPR's Pentagon correspondent, and Lauren Hodges, producer for NPR's Embedded podcasts, dive into the troubling intersection of military service and political extremism. They explore the profound implications of military participation in the January 6th Capitol riot, scrutinizing cases like that of an active-duty Marine involved in the chaos. The conversation unveils how the military grapples with addressing internal threats while balancing freedom of speech and the integrity of armed forces in a politically charged landscape.
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Reporters' Experience on Jan 6th
- Tom Bowman and Lauren Hodges recount being at the Capitol on January 6th, witnessing the crowds and breach.
- They observed many people with military ties among the rioters.
Military Presence at the Capitol Riot
- Approximately 200 out of 1,500 arrested individuals had military experience.
- This represents roughly 13%, double the general population's military representation.
Marine Sergeant's Involvement
- Active duty Marine Sergeant Joshua Bates participated in the Capitol riot.
- He and other Marines were seen chanting, carrying flags, and placing a MAGA hat on a Martin Luther King Jr. statue.