GOP Congressman smoking a cigar

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call by means of AP Photography

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) has come underneath fireplace in recent months after a CBS News investigation referred to as into query the Texas Republican’s defense force medal claims. NOTUS, a new publication based by means of Robert Allbritton’s foundation, adopted up on the CBS document on Thursday with an in depth look at how Republicans are reacting to Nehls persevering with to “put on a lapel pin for soldiers or Unique Forces who fought in active fight” – regardless of the badge being revoked from his provider report.

“The CBS Information investigation additionally found his Fight Infantryman Badge from Afghanistan was revoked from his service document in March 2023 as a result of Nehls served as a civil affairs officer, not as an infantryman or Special Forces soldier. The congressman continues to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge lapel pin on his swimsuit,” suggested CBS Information in May.

Nehls hit back at the CBS document which additionally claimed that he used to be awarded just one Bronze megaStar, now not two, by way of posting a photograph of his two Bronze Stars. The Pentagon later said it could look into why Nehls’s provider report handiest showed the one medal, regardless of Nehls have documentation for two.

NOTUS spoke to a few Republican House contributors, who are additionally veterans, and mentioned that Nehls persevering with to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge pin has irked a few of his colleagues.

“It matters. As a former commander, it issues what you wear to your uniform,” Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) instructed NOTUS.

“And if you didn’t earn it, you shouldn’t wear it,” introduced the previous Navy SEAL and Trump administration legitimate.

“That’s ridiculous. That’s stolen valor,” Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) instructed NOTUS, explaining that the badge is for many who “engaged with the enemy.”

NOTUS’s John T. Seward wrote in his record that Nehls’s “Republican colleagues within the House have noticed that he hasn’t eliminated the badge — one he’s worn in view that becoming a member of Congress in 2021. NOTUS spoke with a dozen military veteran Republican lawmakers about Nehls’ pin. Some were granted anonymity to talk freely about their colleague. Eight expressed deep frustration with Nehls for carrying the pin. Folks who were extra reluctant to forged aspersions mentioned they took the topic critically and had been independently reviewing the allegations towards the Texas Republican.

“We dangle ourselves to the next standard as veterans. He desires to forestall sporting it,” an unnamed House Republican advised Seward, another used to be quoted pronouncing:

“In case you’re carrying something that’s particularly been addressed as one thing you could’t wear, that is stolen valor,” another Republican lawmaker mentioned. “It’s particularly addressed in U.S. Code, that specific badge,” they delivered, noting that if the particular person didn’t serve within the infantry however continues to wear the badge, it’s “unlawful and stolen.”

Nehls is presently going through an investigation by means of the Home Ethics Committee into alleged marketing campaign finance issues. “The independent place of job that reviews allegations towards House participants found probable cause that Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas transformed marketing campaign funds to personal use,” reported the AP in May just.

Read the full NOTUS document here.

The submit ‘That’s Stolen Valor’: Troy Nehls Under Fireplace From Fellow Republicans Over Combat Pin first seemed on Mediaite.