Former Space Force Officer Resigns in Protest Over "Marxist" DEI Ideology

Former Lt. Col. Matt Lohmeier, a decorated U.S. Space Force officer, has resigned from the military after being fired for speaking out against the "Marxist" diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ideology that he believes is undermining military readiness.

Former Lt. Col. Matt Lohmeier, a highly decorated U.S. Space Force officer with over a decade of service, has resigned in protest of the military's "Marxist" diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda.

Former Space Force Officer Resigns in Protest Over "Marxist" DEI Ideology

Lohmeier, who specialized in missile warning systems, was fired as a commander in May 2021 after publicly criticizing the DEI training that he believes has divided the troops and decreased morale. He alleges that the firing was a retaliation for his dissenting views on the military's DEI policies.

"The DEI industry... is steeped in critical race theory, is rooted in anti-American, Marxist ideology," Lohmeier said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "The blow was severe... It makes you feel like you've been betrayed."

Former Space Force Officer Resigns in Protest Over "Marxist" DEI Ideology

Lohmeier, a conservative himself, emphasizes that his criticism was not against diversity or inclusion but against the divisive and anti-American ideology that he sees underlying the military's DEI efforts. He believes that these programs are undermining the military's core values and creating a culture of fear and suspicion.

"There was a whole string of events that did lead up to my being relieved of command," Lohmeier said. "The ultimate reason was because I was willing to be publicly critical of critical race theory, which I understood to be rooted in Marxist ideology... that I saw dividing the troops."

Former Space Force Officer Resigns in Protest Over "Marxist" DEI Ideology

Lohmeier's firing comes amid growing concerns about the influence of critical race theory in the military. A recent study by the Arizona State University Center for American Institutions found that the Pentagon's DEI programs encourage reporting private conversations on dissenting views of DEI and has been steadily increasing its resources.

"We need to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings from the military, from the service academies, and strip all vestiges of critical race theory out of the military workplace," Lohmeier said.

The Space Force has not responded to Lohmeier's allegations. However, the military has defended its DEI programs as essential to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Lohmeier's resignation is a significant blow to the military and a stark warning about the potential consequences of allowing "Marxist" ideologies to infiltrate the ranks. His story highlights the growing tension between the military's traditional values and the progressive social agenda that is being pushed by some in the Biden administration.