If the allegations that Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez refused to hang the portraits of POTUS and the Sec Def, are true, she is fighting the wrong fight. She is in fact empowering the rightwing extremists and undermining our democracy.

The people elected Trump as POTUS (whom I deeply dislike and find unfit for duty), along with JD Vance (who may be even worse), and Hegseth may be an inept xenophobic bigot- but he is the Secretary of Defense.

Colonel Baez Ramirez’s oath is to the Constitution- as it is the oath of every single member of the military.

Refusing to hang their portraits in base- as it is customary- was incredibly childish and quite frankly, dumb. It actually works on Trump and Hegseth’s favor. She should’ve hung the pictures and continued to discharge her duties as a professional and honorable officer- instead of throwing what seems like a childish tantrum.

Colonel Baez Ramirez should’ve remained as the post’s commanding officer- as thousands of officers are doing knowing there will be a moment when Trump issues an illegal order- and that is the moment when those military officers will be needed to uphold the constitution and save the republic and democracy by refusing to follow illegal orders.

It seems that Colonel Baez Ramirez doesn’t understand the oath she took and what it means for the country. You may despise the new commander in chief- as I deeply do- but you don’t get to disobey legal orders. It is your duty- not just your right- but your duty- to refuse to carry out illegal orders. Not hanging up their pictures was an act of teenager rebellion- and showed her unfit for her rank and command. A colonel is a mere rank below general!

A military that operates under this principle- discharging lawful orders and disobeying unlawful ones, is one of the safety rails protecting our Democracy- a safety rail that very few countries in the world have.

The colonel had options if she found it unbearable to serve under the Trump administration. She could’ve renounced her command and commission in protest (or retire)- that’s acceptable. But then again, that does little to safeguard democracy.

If she had wanted to fulfil her duty and oath to the constitution (her duty towards we the people)- and be a patriot defending our democracy- she should’ve discharged all legal orders dutifully and professionally and remain in charge until the day the trump administration issued an illegal order- then refuse to obey that order. At that time is when we will need professional and honorable officers to refuse to follow orders that violate the constitution or the rules of war.

Colonel Baez Ramirez won’t be among them because by refusing to post the pictures of POTUS and the SecDef she overreacted and may face a court martial for disobeying a direct legal order– and probably be discharged dishonorably. And that is completely fair. If she in fact refused to hang or hung the portraits backwards, she betrayed her oath and proved herself unfit for service and undeserving of wearing the uniform.

She also caused immense damage to non-white and non-male officers and soldiers. This was a dumb and childish act that sets Latinos and women in the military back decades. Her childish performative act did nothing but making women, Puerto Ricans and Latinos look unfit for service.

If she only knew that non-whites were never cannon fodder in the US military as they were considered too inferior and unfit for service due to structural racism- and that instead, African-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Mexican-Americans fought for their right to serve, and their right to fight, fighting both abroad and at home, for their country, and for their communities, fighting for equality! Then maybe she would’ve not engaged in an act that promotes the stereotype of non-whites and non-males being unable to reign over their emotions and being effective leaders and soldiers.

The act makes it look like the detractors of DEI are completely right. With that childish act she dishonored all the non-whites and females who served begore her and helped transformed the military.

Now, the right has more ammunition to throw both at DEI, Latinos, Women, and at the “left”. For example, hating the military- our must trusted and beloved institution. The left and the Democrats will get some pundits who don’t understand the military, its mandate, its culture, or how it protects our democracy- and spin this trying to portray her as a hero and a patriot- she ain’t either, neither is she a victim.

If the Democrats or that thing called “the left” pick her up as another martyr- say goodbye to retaking Congress in the midterm elections. Instead, the democrats should join the chorus denouncing her- or at least not come in her defense. “Democrat” talking heads will only succeed in embarrassing themselves and showing the left and democrats as completely alienated from 80% plus of Americans.

Don’t make this a cause.  Do not defend her.  Defend the constitution.

Otherwise, you will be helping Trump and MAGA destroy the professional officer corps and turning the military into their private guard.

If she becomes a political activist or politician and the Democrats adopt her- that would only strengthen MAGA. Don’t make her a martyr. She wasn’t fit for command and did not deserve to wear the uniform. Period.

Last thing, this military tradition is such a pillar of American democracy- that General Douglass MacArthur- one of the most powerful, decorated, and famous generals in world history, was removed from his charge as Commanding Officer of all American and United Nations’ troops fighting in Korea and supporting theaters- in the middle of a brutal war- for criticizing President Truman in public. Imagine that.

Note: I’m also Puerto Rican and I served honorably for 10 years in the US Army and National Guard and Reserve; I have studied the US Military for decades; I’m a Veterans’ Rights advocate- and as a civilian I oppose the Trump administration every chance I get.

You may find my book: Soldiers of the Nation, Military Service and Modern Puerto Rico, 1868–1952 here: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496205445/soldiers-of-the-nation/