Defense Department to Counsel Doug Collins for Improperly Using Military Uniform in Campaign Ads
Republican Representative Doug Collins of Georgia will be counseled by the Department of Defense for repeatedly violating a policy that prohibits candidates from using photos of themselves in uniform for campaign ads without a proper disclaimer, the department told Newsweek.
Collins, who is challenging incumbent GOP Senator Kelly Loeffler, violated DoD policy at least two dozen times last week alone by using images of himself donning his Air Force uniform in campaign ads posted to social media, Newsweek reported. The photos infuriated veterans and advocacy groups, and they called on Collins to be court-martialed because of the violation as an active reservist.
DoD Directive 1344.10 states that any images in uniform must be accompanied with a "prominent and clearly displayed disclaimer" that states such a photo does not imply an endorsement from any military branch. Nearly all of Collins' ads either excluded such a statement or had a disclaimer that was too small to read.
"Feedback will be provided to Congressman Collins and his campaign team about the use of a disclaimer," a DoD spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement on Tuesday. The spokesperson also restated part of the DoD policy.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/defense-department-to-counsel-republican-for-improperly-using-military-uniform-in-campaign-ads/ar-BB1atx0M?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=DELLDHP
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