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WA National Guard Reviews Member's Politically-Charged Comments

Bureau of Land Management of Oregon and Washington
Washington National Guard Training Session

Washington National Guard officials say they are reviewing comments made by a guard member for her support of right-wing causes.

Washington National Guard Staff Sergeant Maureen Peltier has been outspoken about her concerns with  perceived over-reach of the federal government on issues like gun control, environmental laws, and other issues.

This week, she told Public Radio reporter Austin Jenkins that she is a supporter of the Patriot movement, but does not see a conflict of interest with her position in the National Guard.

“I believe what I am doing is just and correct because of the corruption. And I want peace and order brought back to my country. And since my leaders won’t do it, and since my leaders are corrupted--since my my leaders are weak minded--I don’t have a problem speaking up. I’m just a person with a voice willing to do it.”

We spoke with National Guard Spokeswoman Karina Shagren, who says that Pelteir’s statements are being examined.

“It’s safe to say we have concerns about what is going on her public Facebook page. We’re conducting an internal inquiry to see if what she has said or posted violates any National Guard policies. These are personal comments. She wasn’t in uniform when she made these comments. She wasn’t in any military status. We certainly respect freedom of speech, which certainly applies to everyone. Sometimes the feedback isn’t easy to hear."

Peltier participated in the protest in Burns, Oregon, last weekend but says she opposed the occupation of the Federal Wildlife Refuge headquarters.

The Guard spokeswoman says they hope to make a determination by the end of the week as to whether Peltier violated any military policy with her statements.

Steve was part of the Spokane Public Radio family for many years before he came on air in 1999. His wife, Laurie, produced Radio Ethiopia in the late 1980s through the '90s, and Steve used to “lurk in the shadowy world” of Weekend SPR. Steve has done various on air shifts at the station, including nearly 15 years as the local Morning Edition host. Currently, he is the voice of local weather and news during All Things Considerd, writing, editing, producing and/or delivering newscasts and features for both KPBX and KSFC. Aside from SPR, Steve ,who lives in the country, enjoys gardening, chickens, playing and listening to music, astronomy, photography, sports cars and camping.