Podcast Title: Up First from NPR
Episode: Does the Military Have an Extremism Problem?
Release Date: January 5, 2025
Host: Aisha Rascoe
Contributors: Tom Bowman (Pentagon Correspondent), Lauren Hodges (Producer)

Introduction

In the January 5, 2025 episode of Up First from NPR, host Aisha Rascoe delves deep into a pressing issue: the presence of political extremism within the U.S. military ranks. Triggered by the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, where individuals with military backgrounds played notable roles, the episode explores the extent of extremism in the military and the potential implications as Donald Trump positions himself for a second presidential term.

Background: The January 6 Capitol Attack

Aisha Rascoe sets the stage by recounting the events of January 6, 2021, emphasizing the significant involvement of individuals with military ties in the Capitol riot:

Aisha Rascoe [00:00]: "Tomorrow marks four years since the attack on the US Capitol... there were a lot of people with military ties in the Capitol that day."

The attack resulted in four deaths, injuries to 140 law enforcement officers, and nearly $3 million in damages. Post-attack investigations revealed that approximately 13% of the 1,500 arrested individuals had military experience, a figure twice the national average.

Military Extremism: An Emerging Concern

Tom Bowman and Lauren Hodges highlight findings from their investigation and research by Michael Jensen from the University of Maryland:

Tom Bowman [07:06]: "An NPR analysis found that of the 1500 arrested, some 200 had military experience. That is roughly 13%, about double what you would see with the general population."

Jensen's research indicates a historical rise in political violence within the military over the past 35 years, with the Marine Corps exhibiting the highest rates of extremism relative to its size. Despite this, the Marines conduct fewer investigations into such activities compared to other branches.

Case Study: Sergeant Joshua Bates

A focal point of the episode is the story of Sergeant Joshua Bates, an active-duty Marine involved in the January 6 events:

Lauren Hodges [10:18]: "His name is Joshua Bates. Sergeant Joshua Bate."

Bates, a decorated Marine with promising prospects, participated in the Capitol riot by chanting "Stop the Steal" and vandalizing a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. Despite his actions, Bates received a lenient criminal sentence and is currently facing a military retention hearing. The hearing revealed a split in perceptions among Marine panelists:

Tom Bowman [26:12]: "One panelist said he had a negative perception of what transpired... the other two had a more indifferent stance."

Ultimately, Bates was allowed to remain in the Marine Corps, leaving his future uncertain, especially with the impending confirmation of John Phelan as Defense Secretary, who has signaled intentions to dismantle diversity and anti-extremism initiatives.

Military Leadership's Response

Following the January 6 attack, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin initiated measures to counter extremism, including:

• Stand Downs: Training sessions to remind service members of prohibited activities related to extremism.
• Definition of Extremism: Developed by Bishop Garrison, which focuses on actions rather than political beliefs, emphasizing activities that incite violence or discrimination.
• New Reporting Protocols: Especially within the Marine Corps, requiring timely reporting of suspected extremist activities.

However, these efforts have faced significant pushback:

Joshua Bates [20:14]: "They’re using January 6th as the ultimate justification."

Defense officials like Bishop Garrison have been targeted by right-wing media and faced personal threats, impeding the implementation of his recommendations. The military's top brass, including General Eric Smith, often downplay the existence of an extremism problem due to the lack of concrete data.

Implications of a Trump Second Term

With Donald Trump likely to secure a second term, concerns loom over the future of military efforts to address extremism:

• Potential Policy Reversals: Nominees like John Phelan may seek to eliminate diversity and anti-extremism programs.
• Impact on Extant Policies: Existing guidelines and data collection efforts could be dismantled, hindering the military's ability to combat extremism effectively.
• Perception of the Military: Trump views military personnel as loyalists serving the president, potentially undermining the apolitical stance traditionally upheld by the armed forces.

Looking Forward: Ensuring a Peaceful Transfer of Power

As Congress prepares to certify the 2024 election results, the episode underscores the importance of robust security measures to safeguard the peaceful transfer of power, lessons painfully learned from January 6.

Tom Bowman [31:12]: "The certification of the 2024 election happening tomorrow will be very safe. It’s now considered a national security event."

Conclusion

Up First from NPR presents a comprehensive examination of the concerning trend of political extremism within the U.S. military, using the January 6 Capitol attack as a pivotal case study. As the nation approaches another potential presidential transition, the episode raises critical questions about the military's ability to remain apolitical and the effectiveness of current measures to prevent extremist activities within its ranks.

For a more in-depth exploration, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR's Embedded podcast series A Good Guy and NHPR's Document podcast episode Amelia's Thing.

Notable Quotes:

• Aisha Rascoe [00:00]: "There were a lot of people with military ties in the Capitol that day."
• Tom Bowman [07:06]: "Of the 1500 arrested, some 200 had military experience. That is roughly 13%, about double what you would see with the general population."
• Joshua Bates [12:49]: "It couldn't just be that you went and read a thing because you could be a historian."
• Tom Bowman [16:03]: "So Austin came up with a plan. It started with something called a stand down."
• Aisha Rascoe [28:44]: "Trump has had complicated, often controversial feelings about the military and veterans."

Additional Resources:

• Embedded Podcast Series: A Good Guy
  Explore the detailed case of Sergeant Joshua Bates and other stories related to military extremism.

• NHPR's Document Podcast: Amelia's Thing
  Follow the journey of a Capitol Police officer coping with the aftermath of January 6, 2021.

Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst.