A Republican Party lawmaker's criticism of the US Navy's use of a drag queen to boost recruitment was slammed by retired US Navy Commander Julianna Vida, who called it "destructive" and "undermining" to the military branch's recruitment methods.
Vida, a former Navy member of 30 years and current member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees, defended the use of drag queen recruiting ads as "critical" in welcoming traditionally excluded segments of the population, per Fox News. She added that the tactic should be praised, not criticized.
The US Navy's recruitment strategy involving a "nonbinary officer" as its drag queen "Digital Ambassador" has drawn criticism from Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who accused the military of being too focused on "woke identity politics."
In a recent Wall Street Journal Op-ed, Tuberville argued that the Navy's emphasis on diversity and inclusivity detracts from its core mission.
Reflecting on his experience of recruiting young men to play football for 40 years, he expressed his concern that the military's focus on sexuality, race, and gender was on self rather than on purpose, ability, or service.
Tuberville criticized the Navy's recruiting strategy, stating that the military branch's use of a drag queen ambassador "isn't a good recruiting strategy."
Meanwhile, former Navy SEAL Robert J. O'Neill also criticized the move and warned of the potential consequences.
Neil, who was involved in the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, warned that "China is going to destroy" the United States, The Hill reported.
US Navy's Drag Queen Ambassador Responds
The controversial Navy Digital Ambassador, Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who performs as a drag queen under the name Harpy Daniels, responded to the online hate they received in a recent TikTok video.
"Haters only hate when you are winning," Kelly said, per The Independent.
Kelley joined the Navy to support their drag career and has been performing drag shows for fellow sailors in the Navy's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation events before becoming a digital ambassador.
