Army suspends three-star general for Tweet ‘mocking’ First Lady Jill Biden

The United States Army suspended a three-star general this week after he publicly mocked First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on Twitter last month in response to a Tweet she posted regarding the overturning of Roe v Wade.

On June 24, the day the Supreme Court decision was announced, the First Lady wrote, “For nearly 50 years, women have had the right to make our own decisions about our bodies. Today, that right was stolen from us. And while we may be devastated by this injustice, we will not be silent. We will not sit back as the progress we have already won slips away.”

In response, retired Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky wrote, “Glad to see you finally know what a woman is.” USA Today reported Volesky, though retired, was working as a senior mentor and adviser to the Army on war games strategy and other military matters within his field of expertise. The Army was paying Volesky $92 an hour for his services as a contractor.

After Volesky’s Tweet in response to the First Lady, the Army confirmed there was an inquiry into Volesky’s conduct and that he had been suspended as the inquiry was carried out. Volesky’s Tweet appeared to echo a previous exchange between Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R) and then-nominee for SCOTUS, Ketanji Brown Jackson, during which Blackburn pressed Jackson to “define” what a woman is. 

Transgender issues have been a hot-button topic in the United States military in recent years. During his presidency, Donald Trump infamously banned transgender individuals from joining the United States military. President Joe Biden reversed the measure when he took office.