Driving the news: The photo, obtained by Reuters through the Freedom of Information Act, shows Mastriano at the Department of Military Strategy, Planning and Operations, where he previously worked as a professor.
- The faculty were offered the opportunity to pose as a historic figure for the photo. At least 15 of the people in the photo are seen wearing normal outfits. Mastriano is the only one in the photo seen wearing a Confederate uniform.
- The photo was taken during the 2013-14 school year during the Obama administration.
- The Pentagon issued a de facto ban on displaying the Confederate flag in 2020, per AP.
What they’re saying: Mastriano retweeted a statement from senior adviser Jenna Ellis, who said the state senator “apparently once posed as a civil war historical figure for a photo.”
- “The left wants to erase history,” she said. She then invited Reuters “to go on a Gettysburg tour with Doug. You’ll learn a lot!”
- Mastriano’s office did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.
Army War College said it removed the photo from its wall after Reuters reached out, per CNN.
https://www.axios.com/2022/08/27/doug-mastriano-confederate-army-photo-trump