Drill Sergeant in hotseat after forcing soldiers to do push-ups under MAGA flag

A TikTok video of soldiers doing push-ups under a MAGA banner has landed one drill sergeant in hot water.

Staff Sergeant Thomas Mitchell may have posted a TikTok video that violates rules regarding the display of “partisan political materials” by service members. The now-deleted video, posted Friday, reportedly featured trainees performing push-ups underneath a banner that read “This Is Ultra-MAGA Country.” A subsequent upload reportedly showed service members conducting similar exercises with a caption reading “Cry about it.”

A report by Military.com received a statement by service spokesperson Jennifer Gunn, who said the alleged videos are under investigation.

“The U.S. Army is an apolitical organization. Displaying partisan political materials in government facilities, including training areas, is prohibited under Army regulation. We will investigate this matter and address it in accordance with established policies to ensure compliance with standards of conduct and to maintain an environment free from political influence,” she said.

“Mitchell serves as an infantry drill sergeant with B Company, 2-19th Infantry Battalion, 198th Infantry Training Brigade, at Fort Benning, Georgia,” the outlet reported. “Displaying political flags and other partisan memorabilia inside federal buildings is strictly prohibited under Defense Department regulations designed to preserve the military’s role as a nonpartisan institution, a norm long considered sacrosanct within the ranks.”

The TikTok account believed to be associated with Mitchell, @11chuckdeuce, and another personal art account, @jrs_artt, appear to have been scrubbed since the investigation was launched.