Sen. Cotton probes DOD how US airman who lit himself on fire was ‘allowed to serve on active obligation’

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., needs to know how the Department of Defense (DOD) allowed a U.S. airman – who set himself on fire exterior the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., on Monday – to serve as an active obligation member since 2020.

Aaron Bushnell, 25, who was an Air Force member from Whitman, Massachusetts, lit himself on fire as a protest in opposition to Israel defending itself in opposition to Hamas terrorists following the Oct. 7 assaults. Bushnell livestreamed from his Twitch account, declaring as he approached the embassy that he “will no longer be complicit in genocide,” a supply advised the AP.

Cotton needs to know how Bushnell flew below the DOD’s radar, and whether or not he had any entry to categorised info that would compromise U.S. nationwide safety.

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Sen Tom Cotton and Aaron Bushnell (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc through Getty Images | Getty Images/X)

“You have made it a top priority to address ‘extremism’ amongst our total force, and this act of horrific violence – in support of a terrorist group – raises serious questions about how this individual was allowed to serve on active duty,” Cotton wrote to DOD Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday. 

By March 7, Cotton needs the DOD to present info on whether or not Bushnell exhibited any “extremist leanings,” in addition to if the DOD’s anti-extremism coaching consists of addressing assist for Islamic militant teams like Hamas. 

Cotton, a member of the Armed Services Committee, additionally needs to know if Bushnell displayed “any concerning behavior” earlier than the incident, and if any actions have been taken to handle it. He’s additionally probing whether or not another army members engaged in anti-Israeli actions, violating DOD coverage on restricted political actions.

The livestream of Bushnell was faraway from Twitch, however officers investigating the loss of life imagine he positioned his cellphone on the bottom and poured a liquid over himself earlier than setting himself on fire. 

In a press release on Monday, the Air Force introduced Bushnell died because of the act. 

PENTAGON SAYS ACTIONS OF US AIRMAN WHO SET HIMSELF ON FIRE OUTSIDE ISRAELI EMBASSY IN DC WAS ‘TRAGIC EVENT’

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Reuters/Violeta Santos Moura)

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“When a tragedy like this occurs, every member of the Air Force feels it,” U.S. Air Force Col. Celina Noyes, seventieth Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Wing commander mentioned in a press release. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Senior Airman Bushnell. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we ask that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

The Air Force mentioned Bushnell was a cyber protection operations specialist with the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio.

Fox News Digital reached out to the DOD for remark.