ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A midshipman is suing the U.S. Naval Academy after he was disciplined for tweeting that Breonna Taylor received “justice” when she was fatally shot by police.
Midshipman 1st Class Chase Standage, 21, says in the lawsuit that the academy is violating his constitutional rights of free speech and a fair and impartial hearing, the Capital Gazette reported Thursday.
In addition to the tweet about Taylor, a Black woman who was fatally shot by officers who barged into her Kentucky home, Standage was also accused of tweeting racist messages against Black people.
RELATED
The U.S. Naval Academy has opened an investigation into social media posts allegedly made by a midshipman that suggested police should shoot unarmed protesters and that Breonna Taylor received “justice” when she was shot and killed by police in Kentucky.
In the lawsuit, Standage’s attorneys write that Standage’s June tweets were responses to heated exchanges on Twitter. They also said Standage “has never exhibited racial animus towards anyone.”
Standage, who lives in California and is the son of police officers, was at home watching the protests against racial injustice in Los Angeles when he sent his tweets, the lawsuit said.
An investigation ended last week with Standage receiving “appropriate administrative action,” but an academy spokesperson didn’t elaborate on the specific nature of the action, citing the Privacy Act. The Naval Academy said it is aware of the lawsuit but would not comment on pending litigation.
In his lawsuit, first reported by Courthouse News, Standage said Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck plans to recommend to the secretary of the Navy that Standage be separated from the Naval Academy. Both Buck and Navy Secretary Kenneth J. Braithwaite are named in the lawsuit.
The basis of separation is that Standage’s tweets violate the Naval Academy’s policies against political activities and “constituted conduct unbecoming a midshipman,” according to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will represent the Navy.
Polaris is preparing its Arctic kit for the MRZR Alpha as part of a deal with U.S. Special Operations Command to supply lightweight tactical all-terrain vehicles.
Th enlisted leader of Information Warfare Training Command Monterey is facing court-martial.
The Navy says forcing surface ships or attack submarines to haul around nuclear-tipped missiles would be feasible, but would be a burden in a time with many more pressing missions and no extra money to spare on lesser priorities.
Tinnitus, knee pain, an old pair of combat boots.
Navy officials confirmed the "Class A" mishap last week.
This is the first conversation between the two defense chiefs since Feb. 18, a week before the war started.
Russia lost significant numbers of troops and important equipment when Ukrainian forces thwarted their attempt to cross a river in the east, British officials said.
The Turkish leader explained his opposition by alleging that Sweden and other Scandinavian countries support Kurdish militants and others whom Turkey considers to be terrorists. He also accused Greece of using the alliance against Turkey.
The Army is also looking at what enforcement actions they can take against privatized housing companies.
The older generation is still in attendance, but the new face of the VFW looks like you.
The American-made FGM-148 Javelin has been making mincemeat of T-72s and T-90s in Ukraine, according to reports.
The sinking of the Moskva is arguably Russia's lowest point in its invasion of Ukraine — so far. Here's the weapon that may have killed it.
Though it has its roots in fighting Soviets in World War II, the Panzerfaust 3 antitank rocket is now being used against the Russians again — in Ukraine.
South Korea says North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea in the latest of a series of weapons demonstrations this year.
Nearly 10,000 soldiers from 19 nations are taking part in NATO’s planned “Swift Response” exercises as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues for a 12th week.
Load More