Matthew Lohmeier, the ex-Space Force lieutenant colonel who lost his command for criticizing the military’s diversity efforts and purported Marxist influences, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as the new undersecretary of the Air Force.
The Senate vote that confirmed Lohmeier was strictly divided along party lines, with a tally of 52-46.
Lohmeier was removed from his leadership role of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado in 2021. His dismissal followed his participation in a podcast where he promoted his self-published book, “Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest and the Unmaking of the American Military.”
In the podcast, Lohmeier criticized diversity policies, critical race theory, and Marxism as being un-American and divisive. He claimed these ideologies were infiltrating and undermining the military’s strength and cohesion.
Former President Donald Trump appointed Lohmeier to be the second top civilian official in the Department of the Air Force just before his inauguration in January, assigning him the task of overhauling what he termed “woke” military policies.
Trump expressed his intentions on social media, stating, “Matthew will work with the GREAT Secretary of Defense Nominee, Pete Hegseth, to end the devastating ‘woke’ policies that have destroyed our Military, and make our Country STRONG AGAIN.”
During his Senate confirmation hearing on May 1, Lohmeier addressed accusations of engaging in political activity while on duty, asserting that he did not publicly criticize his superiors. When questioned by Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, about whether he would step back from personnel decisions involving his former commanders—Gen. Stephen Whiting of U.S. Space Command and Maj. Gen. Devin Pepper—Lohmeier did not agree to recuse himself but committed to “treat all people fairly according to the law.”
Senator Hirono responded to his statement with skepticism, remarking, “That is totally not reassuring.”
Lohmeier chose to leave the military voluntarily in September 2021. Although the Air Force had initiated an investigation into his controversial remarks, the inquiry was terminated following his departure from active duty.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
