Why Is a U.S. Congressman Wearing a Foreign Military Uniform?

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) arrived to work today donning his Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) uniform.

“As the only member to serve with both the United States Army and the Israel Defense Forces, I will always stand with Israel,” Mast said.

“Tlaib’s got her flag. I got my uniform. ‘Global Day of Rage’ my a**,” he added.

As the only member to serve with both the United States Army and the Israel Defense Forces, I will always stand with Israel.

Tlaib’s got her flag. I got my uniform. “Global Day of Rage” my ass. pic.twitter.com/WPWvst17ww

— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) October 13, 2023

* Images from Rep. Brian Mast X Post*

United States public servants, which includes the Senate and House of Representatives, take an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rights of the American people.

Read that Oath of Office below:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

If Congress members wear the military uniform of a foreign nation, regardless if they’re an ally or enemy, are they truly serving the American people?

On the other hand, do the rights or interests of the foreign nation take precedent?

Social media users commented on Mast wearing his IDF uniform as a public servant to the American people:

I'd prefer that you always stand with the USA instead, especially in disputes between the two countries, which occur from time to time.

— William M Briggs – Statistician to the Stars! (@FamedCelebrity) October 13, 2023

Why is a member of a foreign military serving in the US Congress?

— Dan Hollaway (@DanHollaway) October 13, 2023

So where does your loyalty actually lay? America or Israel?

— Gungan Sin 🐉 (@Gungan_Sin) October 13, 2023

I see "Show off your conflicting loyalties day" isn't restricted to leftists with foreign flags but to conservatives with foreign uniforms.

You and Tlaib are both disgraceful.

— 🏛 Aristophanes 🏛 (@Aristos_Revenge) October 13, 2023

Is it AMERICA FIRST or ISRAEL FIRST?

Take the foreign uniform off, shameful that US POLITICIANS shill for other countries.

— Chief Trumpster (@ChiefTrumpster) October 13, 2023

No elected official should be wearing the uniform of a foreign country. Instead of staging photo ops, resign and hope on a plane to fight.

— Bronson (@BronsonTCB) October 13, 2023

Do you serve Israel or your constituents? You can’t do both simultaneously

— ShooterMcKevin (@ShooterMcKevin1) October 13, 2023

“Why is this even a subject of debate? No nation’s representative should be donning a military uniform, hoisting the flag of another nation, or sporting a lapel pin of another country within their own nation’s capital. This applies to Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine alike,” Blaze TV host Lauren Chen wrote.

Why is this even a subject of debate?

No nation's representative should be donning a military uniform, hoisting the flag of another nation, or sporting a lapel pin of another country within their own nation’s capital.

This applies to Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine alike. https://t.co/jtApPboDuT

— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) October 13, 2023

“Why is it acceptable to wear a foreign military uniform to work in the UNITED STATES CONGRESS?” asked The Grayzone journalist Anya Parampil.

Why is it acceptable to wear a foreign military uniform to work in the UNITED STATES CONGRESS⁉️ https://t.co/ExdTlNjWb3

— Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) October 13, 2023

According to his Wikipedia, Rep. Brian Mast “volunteered with the Israel Defense Forces, working at a base outside Tel Aviv, packing medical kits and moving supplies.”

The Hill reports:

Mast similarly invoked his IDF service in a post on X immediately following the attack on Hamas, writing at the time, “As the only Member of Congress who has worn the uniform of both the U.S. Army and the Israeli Defense Forces, I know that those on the ground are willing to give their last breath for their country and for their friends, family, and neighbors. My prayers are with them.”

Friday marked the seventh day in the war between Hamas and Israel. Hamas launched a massive surprise attack against Israel on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people and taking an estimated 150 people hostage. Israel has since responded with a barrage of airstrikes in Gaza, which have killed what Palestinian authorities estimate to be more than 1,500 people.

In Mast’s post Friday, he compared his IDF uniform to the Palestinian flag Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) is displaying outside her office.

“Tlaib’s got her flag. I got my uniform,” Mast wrote. “’Global Day of Rage’ my ass.”

Tlaib, who is of Palestinian heritage, has come under fire for her call to end U.S. aid to Israel in a statement immediately following the Hamas attack Saturday, in which she denounced the violence but said Israel had instigated the circumstances of the conflict. Others have criticized her for flying the Palestinian flag, prompting even some pro-Israel colleagues to come to her defense.

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