THE CENTER SQUARE: Iraq veteran in General Assembly criticizes governor’s ‘cheap stunt’

A turret gunner in Iraq before he was 21, North Carolina lawmaker Allen Chesser called Gov. Josh Stein’s embrace and signature to a statement involving Ukraine and second-term Republican President Donald Trump “disgraceful” and a “cheap stunt.”

“This isn’t about left or right; it’s about right and wrong,” Chesser says. “This pandering is as unnecessary as it is disgraceful, and it’s time we stopped preening for the cameras and started working for the people who elected us. I’ve enough waste in war – I won’t stand for it in Raleigh.”

Chesser, a Bunn High graduate, began his military service in 2003 motivated by the 9/11 attacks on America. He served in the Army and Army National Guard through 2009, completing more than 100 combat missions as turret gunner after deployment with the 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment.

After Trump met on Friday with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Stein affixed his name to a statement with other Democrats nationwide.

It read, “Donald Trump and J.D. Vance used the sacred Oval Office to berate President Zelenskyy for not trusting Vladimir Putin’s word. Americans must protect our strong democratic values on the world stage instead of undermining President’s Zelenskyy’s work to fight for his nation and the freedom of his people after being invaded by Russia. We, along with millions of Americans, stand united with the Ukrainian people.”

Stein was just named a co-chairman of the National Governors Association by Trump. The first-term Democrat, with Ivy League degrees from Harvard Law and Dartmouth, was joined on the statement by Democratic Govs. Laura Kelly of Kansas, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Bob Ferguson of Washington, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Kathy Hochul of New York, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Janet Mills of Maine, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.

“This isn’t leadership – it’s political pandering at its most unnecessary and hollow,” Chesser said. “Barely two months into his term, Stein’s already chasing national headlines, firing off partisan potshots when he should be laser-focused on the people of North Carolina. I’ve seen the cost of war up close – bodies broken, families shattered, futures erased – and I know that every effort to pursue peace, however messy, beats the alternative. For Stein to fling accusations over a diplomatic exchange he has no business meddling in reeks of opportunism, not principle.”

Chesser said it’s clear the Constitution gives foreign policy to the president, not the governor of North Carolina.

“I don’t care if Stein likes how Trump and Vance talked to Zelenskyy – that’s not his lane, and it’s not his fight,” the Nash County Republican said.

Others with Republican ties also rebuked Stein. Other Democrats, including representatives of the state, had criticisms of Trump and Vance.