Fourteen U.S. senators denounced a recent Navy recruiting initiative after a sailor who performs in drag was made a digital ambassador for the military branch.

In November 2022, Joshua Kelley, an enlisted sailor who performs drag under the name Harpy Daniels, announced the new role on social media, saying, “I identify as Non-Binary and this has been an unbelievable experience since I joined the Navy.”

“From joining to 2016 and being able to share by experience on my off time with my fellow sailors has been a blessing,” the sailor said. “This experience has brought me so much strength, courage and ambition to continue being an advocate and representation of queer sailors!”

“Come follow me on this journey and see where we go next,” Kelley continued. “Thank you to the Navy for giving me this opportunity! I don’t speak for the Navy but [am] simply sharing my experience in the Navy!”

The group of 14 senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro expressing their dissatisfaction with the execution of the program and the promotion of Kelley, who posts many of his videos to TikTok.

“We write regarding the Navy’s ‘Digital Ambassador’ Pilot Program and reports that the Navy enlisted a TikTok drag queen to help reach potential recruits on social media,” the letter opened. “While we understand the importance of social media for modern recruiting, we are concerned about both the promotion of a banned app and the behavior that many deem inappropriate in a professional workplace.”

Pointing to the recently passed law that banned TikTok on government devices, the senators said, “The bottom line is that the Navy should not be promoting the use of TikTok, an app banned on Department devices, on the personal devices of servicemembers or its ‘ambassadors.'”

Turning to the issue of Kelley’s drag performances, the senators said, “[We] question promotion of social media influencers who post behaviors or activities many Americans deem inappropriate.”

“This begs the question [sic] whether the Navy endorses the personal posts of its influencers and ‘ambassadors.’ If so, does the Navy endorse drag shows?” the letter read. “Where does the Navy draw the line on promotion of the personal activities of its influencers?”

“Would the Navy enlist burlesque or exotic dancers to reach possible recruits?” the group continued. “Such activity is not appropriate for promotion in a professional workplace or the United States military.”

The senators concluded, “At a time when our nation’s military is facing a recruiting crisis, it is as important as ever to reach broader swaths of the eligible population — but not at the cost of privacy, security, or professionalism.”

The senators requested a response from Del Toro no later than May 24.

The program also received pushback from some military veterans. For example, former Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier, who was reportedly fired from Space Force for criticizing DEI policies, said, “These days, the American people see this and think this has become our military,” per Fox News.

“And so I have to wonder who it is that our senior military leaders, in fact, think they’re appealing to in the recruiting process by hiring a drag queen as their digital ambassador,” Lohmeier continued.

“We’ve known for the past couple of years during the Biden administration, this has been taking place more and more,” he added. “What’s surprising is that senior military leaders continue to push an agenda like this despite the fact that it’s hurting our recruiting efforts and it’s hurting our retention.”

Responding to criticism from commentator and military veteran Graham Allen, Kelley said, “Queer [people] were oppressed in the military for years only untill [sic] 2011 and trans people since 2021.”

“You only want to support the military when it benefits you and doesn’t involve queer people,” Kelley added. “Yet the military is the largest diverse, and adaptable organization in the US.”

“Well as a service member, a queen, and an open queer person. You dont [sic] scare me and you won’t stop the LGBTQ+ community for [sic] thriving!” Kelley continued. “Haters only Hate when we’re winning!”

A Navy spokesman explained that the program Kelley participated in was “designed to explore the digital environment to reach a wide range of potential candidates,” per Fox News, also noting that the Navy is experiencing “the most challenging recruiting environment it has faced since the start of the all-volunteer force.”

The representative further clarified, “The Navy did not compensate YN2 Kelley or any others for being Navy Digital Ambassadors. The pilot has concluded and we are now evaluating the program and how it will exist in the future.”