He said on a podcast that diversity training in the military is "rooted in critical race theory, which is rooted in Marxism."

Matthew Lohmeier was removed from his command role in 2021 after a media appearance where he endorsed political conspiracy views.

President-elect Donald Trump has named Troy Meink, a former Air Force KC-135 tanker navigator and former deputy of the National Reconnaissance Office, as his choice to serve as the top civilian leader for the Air Force.

President-elect Donald Trump boarded Air Force One on Saturday to return to Washington, D.C., for his second inauguration. Newsweek reached out to the Trump transition team for comment by email on Saturday evening.

Troy Meink's specialization in space could upend the priorities of a service typically dominated by Air Force interests.

Lohmeier, a former fighter pilot, was a lieutenant colonel in the Space Force when he was fired after going on a conservative podcast to promote his self-published book, "Irresistible Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military,

Matt Lohmeier was a fighter pilot and Space Force squadron commander, but he was demoted in 2021. He published a book suggesting the military is pushing Marxism.