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Up First from NPR
Does the Military Have an Extremism Problem?
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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Quick takeaways
- The Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, highlighted significant concerns regarding political extremism within the military, with 13% of arrests having military affiliations.
- Efforts by military leaders to address extremism, such as training days and discussions, have faced varied responses and ongoing challenges in implementation.
Deep dives
The Events of January 6th, 2021
On January 6, 2021, a significant attack occurred at the U.S. Capitol as a large crowd, motivated by claims of a stolen election, descended upon the building. This mob, influenced by then-President Donald Trump, wreaked havoc, breaking windows and causing substantial damage, resulting in the death of four individuals and injuries to 140 law enforcement officers. The aftermath of this violent event prompted the FBI to launch an extensive investigation, marking one of the largest criminal inquiries in U.S. history. A notable observation was the high number of individuals with military affiliations that participated in the riot, which has raised ongoing concerns regarding political extremism within military ranks and implications for future governance under Trump.
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