The Minot Air Base warned service members not to attend the “Dakota Patriot Rally.”
Airbase leaders said the issue with the event was that Tyler Bowyer from Turning Point Action, a conservative organization, was scheduled to attend.
A text message sent to personnel told them “to be cautious” and said Turning Point Action is an “alt-right” group.
The message added that “participation with groups such as Turning Point Action could jeopardize their continued service in the U.S. military.”
A spokesperson for Turning Point Action said the organization did not officially recognize the event, saying, “Tyler Bowyer was simply a keynote speaker.”
“Turning Point Action is not alt-right, it’s a mainstream conservative organization and Tyler Bowyer is not some fringe personality—he’s the COO of TPAction, an RNC committeeman from the state of Arizona, and one of the most accomplished political organizers in the country,” the spokesperson explained.
“Lastly, Mr. Bowyer and attendees of this event are not ‘confrontational to military members,’ they’re some of the US Military’s most ardent supporters,” they continued, adding, “How dare they dissuade servicemen and women from affiliating with conservative groups and leaders.”
“This should set off alarm bells throughout North Dakota and DC, that something is terribly wrong at the Minot Air Force base. This also warrants an immediate congressional hearing and investigation, and whoever is responsible should be held accountable. It’s exactly this type of poison that has caused the Air Force to miss its recruiting goal for the first time in decades.”
