Republicans in Congress are threatening one of America’s most prominent nonpartisan veterans’ organizations for their promotion of a satirical image they find offensive.
According to CNN, House Veterans Affairs Committee chair Mike Bost (R-IL) “has asked VA Secretary Doug Collins to investigate the Veterans of Foreign Wars after the satirical cartoon meant to protest cuts to veterans benefits appeared on T-shirts being sold on behalf of the group.”
The cartoon in question depicted suited people labeled as “bureaucrats” and “media” aiming rifles at fatigue-wearing veterans, alongside the phrases, “Punishing Service,” “Removing Benefits” and “Waste and Fraud.”
Bost, along with Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), complained in their demand for an investigation that “VFW has repeatedly authorized the use of its name, trademarks, and likeness on commercial merchandise depicting graphic, inflammatory, politically charged imagery surrounding pending veterans’ legislation,” and this particular cartoon “can reasonably be interpreted as glorifying or normalizing political violence,” and “inflaming public anger toward public officials.”
VFW is a nonpartisan organization known for its presence in Republican-dominated communities. However, the group sometimes takes a stand on relevant political issues, as when it condemned Trump for attacking a Gold Star family during the 2016 campaign.
More generally, Republicans have increasingly moved to threaten opponents’ political speech under the guise of policing “violent” language.
In one of the most high-profile cases, the Justice Department has pursued charges against former FBI Director James Comey for posting a picture of seashells arranged to spell out “8647,” arguing that to call for “86ing” Trump is a call for violence — even though that phrase has a number of other nonviolent meanings.