Feds should strip benefits from military veterans who stormed the Capitol: congressman

Marine Corps combat veteran Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is calling on the government to strip the benefits of military veterans and retirees who participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Stars and Stripes reports.

"Many of the veterans and service members who attacked their own government actively and enthusiastically enjoy special benefits given to them by their fellow citizens," Gallego wrote to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough this Thursday.

"This situation is unjust. Any veteran or service member who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 forfeited their moral entitlement to privileged benefits at the expense of the people of the United States," Gallego added.

Disability compensation, educational benefits, access to health care, employment opportunities and access to veteran-affiliated state programs are afforded to military members by the VA.

As Star and Stripes point out, reports say that about 20 percent of the people who were charged in the Capitol riot so far have some form of military history past and present.

Gallego sent a nearly identical letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, as well as a third letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Read the full report over at Stars and Stripes.