Tommy Tuberville rebuked by Fox News reporter for 'insulting' comments on Marines
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) drew a rebuke from Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin on Friday over comments he made earlier in the week comparing the duties of a Marine Commandant to his past duties as a college football coach.
The comments in question came when Tuberville was asked about the fact that his hold on all military promotions forced Marine Commandant Eric Smith, who was hospitalized earlier this week after suffering a heart attack, to work 18-hour days.
"The Marine Corps commandant’s probably got 2,000 people who work for him, okay? Somebody said he’s working 18 hours a day... Come on, give me a break. This guy’s gonna work 18-20 hours a day no matter what... I did that for years [as a football coach at Auburn University and other colleges], because you got to do get the job done."
This was too much for the normally straight-laced Griffin, who whacked Tuberville in a post on Twitter.
"Tuberville is dismissive of Marine Commandant’s heart attack when told Gen Eric Smith had to do two jobs, work 18 [hour] days due to Tuberville military holds," she wrote. "Says Marine Commandant job no different than his was as coach, insulting Marines who make life and death decisions everyday."
Yeah sure, former coach Tuberville is just like Smith.
U.S. military decorations
Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of MeritBronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and one gold award starPurple HeartDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service MedalNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two award stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star
Combat Action Ribbon with gold award starU.S. Unit Awards
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterNavy Unit Commendation with two bronze service starsNavy Meritorious Unit CommendationU.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service starSouthwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze campaign starsAfghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalHumanitarian Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service starMarine Corps Recruiting Service RibbonNATO Medal for service with ISAFKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
U.S. badges, patches and tabsParachutist BadgeRifle Expert Badge (5th award)Pistol Expert Badge (5th award)Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Well at least the former coach Tuberville did not call marines “suckers and losers” and an “embarrassment” like former President Trump has.
Tuberville's hold on military promotions, which is being done to protest the Pentagon's abortion health care policy, has drawn the ire of many of his fellow Republicans who are now reportedly scheming with Senate Democrats to break the blockade.
