J.R. Majewski, a Republican U.S. congressional candidate in Ohio, allegedly lied about his military service record on the campaign trail, according to a new report published on Wednesday.
The Associated Press reported that the 42-year-old has presented himself as “an Air Force combat veteran who deployed to Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, once describing ‘tough’ conditions including a lack of running water that forced him to go more than 40 days without a shower.”
However, records obtained by the AP show that Majewski never deployed to Afghanistan and that he was stationed at a safe U.S. air base in Qatar where he loaded planes.
“It bothers me when people trade on their military service to get elected to office when what they are doing is misleading the people they want to vote for them,” Don Christensen, a retired colonel and former chief prosecutor for the Air Force, said of Majewski, according to the AP. “Veterans have done so much for this country and when you claim to have done what your brothers and sisters in arms actually did to build up your reputation, it is a disservice.”
Majewski has not responded to the allegations.
Majewski recently appeared on stage at a Trump rally where he said that his pronouns “are patriot ass kicker.”
“Folks, I love God. I love my family. And I love this country,” he said. “I’ll tell you what, speaking at a rally for a guy like me that grew up in Toledo, Ohio. I got eagle bumps. We don’t get we don’t get goose bumps here. If you’re at a Trump rally, you get eagle bumps.”
Trump announced his endorsement of Majewski in a statement over the summer, writing that Majewski “will be a fantastic Congressman for the incredible people of Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.”
“J.R. bravely served in the U.S. Air Force and has spent 20 years working in the nuclear energy industry,” Trump said. “In Congress, J.R. will always Promote American Energy, Secure the Border, Support our Farmers, Protect Life, Defend the Second Amendment, Fight for Election Integrity, and Provide our Veterans with the Care they Deserve.”
“J.R.’s opponent, Marcy Kaptur, has been in Congress for nearly four decades, is not at all a respected Member, and is fully controlled by Nancy Pelosi and the Radical Left,” the statement concluded. “She wants to stay there forever and do nothing. J.R. Majewski will be a fantastic Congressman and he has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”
“I’m beyond honored to have earned President Trumps endorsement and I look forward to serving each and everyone in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District,” Majewski responded to Trump’s endorsement on Twitter.
I’m beyond honored to have earned President Trumps endorsement and I look forward to serving each and everyone in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District! https://t.co/XD9BjxSqrZ#OH09 #MAGA #TrumpEndorsed #Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/Ge7NdfxRAX
— JR Majewski (@JRMajewski) June 5, 2022