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CNN reporter Jeff Zeleny criticized Democratic President Joe Biden for having Marines in the background as he delivered a striking rebuke of former Republican President Donald Trump and his followers during a speech in Philadelphia.
Speaking in front of Independence Hall, Biden called out the MAGA movement, saying its adherents "thrive on chaos" and are working to undermine American democracy.
But the sight of two Marines behind Biden—who Fox News described as being "silhouetted by the blood-red light that bounced off the monumental building—perturbed Zeleny, who said while there is "nothing unusual or wrong with a President delivering a political speech" delivering one "against a backdrop of two Marines standing at attention and the Marine Band is a break with White House traditions."
Zeleny included a photo of Biden with the Marines behind him you can see below.
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing unusual or wrong with a President delivering a political speech \u2014 it\u2019s inherent in the job description \u2014 but doing it against a backdrop of two Marines standing at attention and the Marine Band is a break with White House traditions.\u201d— Jeff Zeleny (@Jeff Zeleny) 1662078383
Over the years, critics have suggested the United States military has become increasingly politicized, particularly since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
Former President Trump was often the subject of criticism he had further politicized the military, especially after he proposed there be a military parade in time for Veteran's Day in 2018. The plan was dimissed by Democrats and Republicans alike amid concerns it would make the United States appear totalitarian and draw comparisons to similar processions in Russia and North Korea.
But past Presidents have also appeared at events while flanked by members of the military, rendering criticisms Biden was politicizing the military dead in the water.
Zeleny's remarks were highly criticized.
\u201c@jeffzeleny Excuse me. This is not an RNC convention at the WH \u2026 if this is the new CNN, count me out\u201d— Jeff Zeleny (@Jeff Zeleny) 1662078383
\u201cBreak w WH tradition: Donald Trump held an RNC convention at the WH; invited the Russia ambassador into the Oval; took Putin\u2019s word over US intelligence professionals; incited insurrectionists on Jan 6 and watched gleefully as they stormed the Capitol\u2026running out of characters.\u201d— Donna F. Edwards (@Donna F. Edwards) 1662129031
\u201cI don't remember people losing it over this.\u201d— ProChoice (@ProChoice) 1662131038
\u201cShame on @CNN. Trump abused the military using them in photo ops almost daily. If you are trying to lure Fox viewers don't bother. They still hate you. And they watch Fox and Newsmax only. But those of us who have supported you are going to @MSNBC.\u201d— Stephanie S. Copeland (@Stephanie S. Copeland) 1662131931
\u201cThis tweet was so painfully dumb, so transparently idiotic, that even my European friends at the dog park were roasting this idiot today. This dude is literally a worldwide laughingstock\u201d— \u2764\ufe0f Umair (@\u2764\ufe0f Umair) 1662132586
\u201cThis tradition?\u201d— Trapper John (@Trapper John) 1662128565
\u201clol dork\u201d— Clinto Pete (@Clinto Pete) 1662125991
Zeleny's colleague, CNN anchor Brianna Keilar, also missed doing any research before making a similar claim.
She made a similar remark telling her followers "the military is supposed to be apolitical" and having Marines "in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that."
\u201cWhatever you think of this speech the military is supposed to be apolitical. Positioning Marines in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that. It\u2019s wrong when Democrats do it. It\u2019s wrong when Republicans do it.\u201d— Brianna Keilar (@Brianna Keilar) 1662078352
In his speech, Biden said those who back the MAGA movement—which has continued to breathe life into Trump's "Big Lie" the 2020 presidential election was stolen—"live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies."
He said the movement is "an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic."
The multiple acts of domestic terrorism linked to the White nationalism, Christian nationalism and other bigotries central to the MAGA core values—including several mass shootings, bomb and death threats and a violent insurrection at the United States Capitol that targeted the Vice President and members of Congress—give credence to this point and should be viewed as apolitical.
Biden added that "equality and democracy are under assault" and stressed Americans "do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise," noting "MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards" by imperiling constitutional rights, including the right to reproductive choices, the right to live as their authentic selves, the right to privacy and the right to marry whoever you love without government interference.