Melting down over Pride Month with U.S. Rep. Chip Roy

Assclown Alert is a column of opinion, analysis and snark.

In his latest anti-woke tantrum, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy earlier this month threatened to slash the defense budget because he’s pissed that the Air Force — in common with myriad other federal agencies and consumer brands — is recognizing Pride Month.

Roy, a Republican whose district includes parts of San Antonio and Austin, told Fox News he wants the GOP to yank its support for a must-pass military funding bill after he saw an Air Force memo detailing the branch’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

“What’s next, rainbow uniforms during pride month [sic]?” Roy said in his statement to the cable network. “The Air Force and Defense Department sanctions this ridiculous use of taxpayer dollars and then expects members of Congress who represent Americans who are livid about this stuff to green light an $800 billion plus DOD budget. If DOD doesn’t put a stop to these kinds of divisive — and frankly embarrassing — DOD events, Republicans should pull support for this year’s [National Defense Authorization Act].”

Roy, a former staffer for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, is no stranger to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and political bomb-throwing.

Last December, the congressman blasted the 12 GOP senators who voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act as “stupid or deceitful.” He also tried to adjourn the House rather than allow a vote on aid to Ukraine.

The Air Force’s “ridiculous use of taxpayer dollars” that’s got Roy’s panties in a wad?

A May 3 memo cited by Fox News shows that the branch allows base commanders to plan “appropriate” activities to celebrate Pride Month at their installations. Roy’s office reportedly provided Fox with a flyer showing that Robins Air Force Base in Georgia will hold a “Pride Game Night,” a Unity in Diversity Color Run and a panel discussion on LGBTQ+ history.

“During this time, we celebrate the progress we have made towards inclusivity, commemorate the contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans, and recognize the obstacles they have faced and overcome along the way,” Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Alex Wagner and Diversity and Inclusion Director Marianne P. Malizia wrote in the memo shared by Fox.

The only thing “divisive” and “embarrassing” to see here is another outburst by Roy, a career assclown who’s racked up way too many appearances in this column. — Sanford

Nowlin

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s political career is hanging in the balance, with a Texas House committee last week filing 20 articles of impeachment accusing him of breaking the law and abusing his office. The full Texas House is expected to convene Saturday — after the Current’s press time for this issue — and will vote whether to send the matter to trial in the Texas Senate. A simple majority is needed to set up the Senate trial.

A bill requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments died in the Texas House last week. Senate Bill 1515, approved in the state Senate on a party line vote last month, didn’t get a vote on the House floor before a final deadline. The bill would have required classrooms to display a copy of the Commandments at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall as part of an ongoing effort to center public life around conservative Christianity. — Abe

Asher

— The ACLU of Texas aftertheTexas Legislature passed a bill allowing unlicensed chaplains to serve in public schools

A Kendall County jury last week found Kendall Lauren Batchelor guilty of intoxication manslaughter in the death of 48-year-old David Belter on a Texas highway last June. Batchelor, the daughter of car dealer Ken Batchelor, also had methamphetamines, cannabinoids and opiates in her system at the time of the crash, according to authorities. She’s facing between two and 20 years in prison.