Air Force Banned Family Research Council's Perkins for Anti-Obama Views

U.S. Air Force officials withdrew their invitation to Family Research Council President Tony Perkins to speak at a military prayer luncheon because of his conservative organization’s opposition to President Barack Obama’s policies, according to government watchdog Judicial Watch. Internal Air Force e-mails reveal that Perkins’ invitation to speak at Andrews Air Force Base in February was rescinded because his Washington-based council’s webpage “has numerous Obama issues to which the organization is opposed. The organization can oppose initiatives, but the commander-in-chief is named . . . CONCERN: Suppose the media gets a hold of this story."

The 14 pages of documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request from Judicial Watch include correspondence from military officers and the chaplain’s office at Andrews. A letter dated Jan. 29 thanks Perkins for accepting the initial invitation to speak but tells him he just may attend the luncheon.

Air Force spokeswoman Linda Valentine said the decision to rescind Perkins’ invitation was made at the last minute to avoid speakers who are political or controversial, regardless of what they advocate. But Perkins, a minister and former Marine sergeant, believes differently.

"This underscores how political correctness has scaled the walls of our nation's military and left unrestrained threatens our national security," Perkins said, adding that he did not intend to address politics or public policy in his speech.

“This shows the military is being politicized,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told CNSNews.com. “The thought that invitations rise and fall on whether you are critical of the Obama administration is troubling. It was a prayer luncheon. The idea that that venue is subject to politics is scandalous.”