Rota's drag queens leave the Seventh Fleet without a leader

Commanding the Seventh Fleet is equivalent to managing one of the largest naval forces the United States deploys outside its territory. It is the linchpin of the military presence in the Pacific, with more than 50 ships, 150 aircraft, and some 20,000 personnel under its command. It is a top-level strategic responsibility at a time of growing tension with China. That promotion will no longer go to Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly. The Pentagon has removed his name from the list. And the person responsible may well be, in part, a drag queen sailor who, when wearing a wig, calls himself Harpy Daniels.

According to information published at the time by the Pentagon itself, during Rear Admiral Donnelly's command of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan , drag queen shows were authorized as part of the crew's "recreation and well-being" activities. One of the stars was Petty Officer Joshua Kelley, known on the scene by that legendary name, who was then part of the onboard administrative team and was stationed at the Rota naval base in Spain until at least 2024. In his shows, the aforementioned Harpy, wearing the Navy's typical navy blue jumpsuit, danced and sang with a blond wig and a broom worthy of the witch from the Wizard of Oz.

According to official records, he continued serving as the commander of the destroyer USS Bulkeley and as a prominent figure in the crew's entertainment activities in 2024. On social media, Daniels claims that he performs in his free time and in his personal capacity, and that his shows are not part of any official Pentagon mission . He has been seen at the Rota Spring Fair.

The case erupted after a report by The Daily Wire, which unearthed images and documents about the drag shows held aboard the USS Reagan between 2016 and 2018, under Donnelly's command. Daniels, who won a gift card in an internal drag contest, was later named a digital ambassador by the Navy in 2022 and has publicly defended his identity, which he calls "nonbinary," and his work promoting "LGBTQI+ visibility" in uniform.

Although the Pentagon hasn't officially linked its decision to the report, the reaction has certainly been devastating. Conservative media and pro-Trump forums have issued a demand: if you allowed drag queens on board, you can't lead the most powerful force in the Pacific .

This echoes the accusation by Trump and his followers that the previous US administration prioritized programs and activities with an ideological and cultural focus over traditional military training. As Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says, the important thing is "being lethal." On the battlefield, not on the dance floor.