Fort Liberty responds to slide calling anti-abortion groups ‘terrorist organizations’

Fort Liberty is responding to backlash after a slideshow presentation used for training at the U.S. Army base referred to anti-abortion organizations as “terrorist organizations.”

A photo circulating on social media shows one slide from a presentation used to train soldiers. The slide, titled “Terrorist Groups,” lists several groups, including National Right to Life and Operation Rescue, and “opponents of Roe v. Wade,” the Supreme Court ruling that established a right to abortion before it was overturned in 2022.

Fort Liberty responded, sharing the following statement on Facebook:

After conducting a commander’s inquiry, we determined that the slides presented on social media were not vetted by the appropriate approval authorities, and do not reflect the views of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense.

The slides were developed by a local garrison employee to train soldiers manning access control points at Fort Liberty.

These slides will no longer be used, and all future training products will be reviewed to ensure they align with the current DoD anti-terrorism guidance.

Anne Reed is with Operation Rescue one of the groups listed.

“The fact that this is being pushed out to the American public is very concerning to us,” Anne Reed is with Operation Rescue said.

She said the slide looked familiar.

“It looks like this was a slide that was reused that was already used about 15 years ago, it made the news then, and then it has just resurfaced,” Reed said.

During a phone interview with WRAL News, a representative for Fort Liberty provided additional details, stating that these presentations typically take place every 2-3 weeks.

They believe this particular one happened as recently as this week, though the exact day is unknown.

They are currently investigating the exact number of people who attended, but it could be around 40 people at any given time.

Fort Liberty said that this was a training session for the soldiers who manage access points and that they have initiated a formal 15-6 investigation into the matter.

North Carolina Senator Tedd Budd released a statement on the social media platform X, saying:

“Smearing pro-life Americans as terrorists is despicable. The materials briefed at Fort Liberty are disturbing. As soon as I became aware of it, I directed my team to contact Army and Fort Liberty officials. They have begun an investigation. The Army must get to the bottom of this and see that it never happens again.”