Politics

Military brass do not applaud Obama’s mention of DADT repeal during SOTU

Matthew Boyle Investigative Reporter
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The military brass in attendance didn’t stand, cheer, applaud or even break a smile when President Barack Obama lauded the December repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night.

Air Force General Norton Schwartz and Marine Corps General James Amos looked like statues after the president played up the congressional repeal of the military policy.

“Our troops come from every corner of this country – they are black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American,” Obama said. “They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim. And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love.”

U.S. Navy Admiral Gary Roughhead, Army General George Casey and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen, who publicly supported repeal of DADT, didn’t give Obama any positive reaction either.

The Joint Chiefs have in the past stood and applauded certain policies during State of the Union addresses.

WATCH: Military brass react to Obama’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal comment in State of the Union speech