Active-Duty Sailor Wilbert Joseph Castañeda on the Convention Stage. Did the Navy Approve?
Source published: Sep 11, 2026 · 12:48 PM EDT · Event: 2026-09-10
CBS reports that Petty Officer 2nd Class Wilbert Joseph Castañeda, whom a Navy official confirmed remained on active duty, appeared onstage with former hostages at the Republican midterm convention. CBS says Defense Department rules prohibit active-duty members from participating in partisan rallies or conventions, although they may attend as out-of-uniform spectators.
Response / context
CBS reported that Castañeda did not speak or wear a uniform and that it was unclear whether Navy officials knew of or approved the appearance. Neither Castañeda nor the Pentagon responded before publication. CBS did not report that Pete Hegseth personally knew of, approved or directed the appearance; his profile link supplies departmental context, not personal liability.
Dates and scope
Source publication: Sep 11, 2026 · 12:48 PM EDT
Event or conduct: 2026-09-10. CBS published the report September 11 about the sailor's September 10 convention appearance.
Dated report. Publication, event and review times are different; the review time is when the sources were last checked, not a live update.
This brief preserves the available response and disposition. Coverage is non-exhaustive. How we review sources.
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Read the original sources
- CBS News: Navy sailor who was jailed in Venezuela took stage at GOP midterm convention ↗
Published September 11 at 12:48 p.m. EDT · direct indexed article text read
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