Photo shows Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Mastriano wearing Confederate uniform

Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor of Pennsylvania and a state senator, appeared in a school image on the Military Struggle Faculty wearing a Accomplice soldier’s uniform, in keeping with a duplicate of the picture obtained by Reuters.

Reuters first obtained a duplicate of the picture from the Struggle Faculty, which is situated in Carlisle, Pa., following a Freedom of Info Act request. The information outlet reported that the picture is of the 2013-2014 school within the Division of Army Technique, Plans, and Operations, the place Mastriano labored at the moment. 

Mastriano is seen sporting a grey uniform and cap and holding an extended Civil Struggle-era gun.

Reuters reported that folks acquainted with the picture stated school had been allowed to decorate as historic figures for the image on the time. One individual within the picture is holding an aviator’s helmet, and no less than one different individual within the picture is clearly dressed up, however Mastriano is the one one sporting a Accomplice soldier’s uniform.

Mastriano’s marketing campaign and the Struggle Faculty didn’t instantly return requests from The Hill for remark. 

Accomplice statues and symbols across the U.S. have acquired nationwide scrutiny in recent times, particularly for the reason that 2015 taking pictures at a Black church in Charleston, S.C. The shooter promoted white supremacist views and posted Accomplice battle flags on-line forward of the taking pictures.

Reuters reported that the picture displaying Mastriano within the uniform was faraway from the wall the place it hung with different annual school images after the outlet requested the image. 

The Pentagon successfully banned the airing of the Accomplice flag in July 2020 by not together with it in an up to date checklist of flags which might be allowed. This choice got here within the aftermath of the homicide of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed in police custody in Minneapolis. 

The army has additionally sought to take away different segregationist symbols since rolling out the coverage, Reuters reported. 

The Struggle Faculty informed Reuters that college officers reviewed all artwork, texts and pictures proven on the school in 2020 however missed the picture with Mastriano. 

The faculty informed Reuters that the picture was eliminated as a result of it didn’t meet its values.

Pennsylvania Legal professional Normal Josh Shapiro, the Democratic nominee for governor, tweeted that Mastriano wore the “uniform of traitors” who fought to defend slavery. He stated it’s “deeply offensive” and exhibits that he’s unfit to be governor.