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Who is Lieutenant Nathan Freihofer, the soldier suspended for making 'vile' Holocaust joke on social media?

'There is no place for racism or bigotry in our Army or our country,' said the 3rd Infantry Division after launching a probe

Lieutenant Nathan Freihofer who is a soldier from the US Army has been suspended over making an obscene joke regarding the Holocaust in a TikTok video. The clip was found and later reshared by a military-focused website that keeps soldiers in line with the army's 'Think, Type, Post' social media policy.

The policy states that soldiers have to 'demonstrate dignity and respect for self and others' when sharing content online. Freihofer is assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps with an investigation launched into the inappropriate social media video.

The XVIII Airborne Corps also took to Twitter to release a statement and said, "We are investigating reports of a Soldier assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps allegedly making vile remarks on a social media video. The statement made in the video is completely inconsistent with our values. We will review all facts and take appropriate action."

The 3rd Infantry Division also took to Twitter to issue a statement and shared, "3ID is investigating reports of a Soldier making vile remarks on a social media video. The statements made in the video are not indicative of the values we live by, and there is no place for racism or bigotry in our Army or our country."

"An investigation has been initiated into this matter and the Soldier has been suspended of any and all leadership authorities effective immediately, pending the results of the investigation," it added.

Freihofer is believed to have around 3.1 million followers and is said to be very popular on TikTok for making obscene and vile comments while standing in the bathroom. In his most recent TikTok video, he is heard trying to pass off a racist remark as humor. He had asked his followers, "What’s a Jewish person’s favorite Pokémon?" as he laughed and answered, "Ash." He then tells his fans, "If you get offended, get the f**** out because it’s a joke. Don’t be a p****."

The disgraced soldier has now been suspended from his army duties as the result of the investigation is due to come out. The editor-in-chief of Task and Purpose, Paul Szoldra, revealed that he had heard of the incident from a fellow officer. The officer had told Szoldra, "My 97-year-old WW2 veteran grandfather helped liberate Dachau and would even now knock this kid's teeth in with ease. Such an individual has no place within our military."

Many social media users slammed Freihofer for his inappropriate behavior, demanding he should be removed. One such user shared, "As a former member of the 18th Airborne Corps I hope you fry him. A punishment less than a loss of commission and dishonorable discharge would be a joke. The 18th Airborne Corps knows all to well the travesties of the concentration camps of WW2. He doesn’t live the Army Values."

Another added, "2nd Lt. Nathan Freihofer, has no place representing or defending the United States of America. The military has no tolerance for fascists, and Nate is intent on a career as a fascist social media influencer. Please do not let his hate speech infect our military. Cut him loose."

"Thank you. His vile message was hurtful to so many. My father served in the Airborne Corps. This "joke" is an insult to Holocaust victims and their families as well as a poor reflection on the Corps' otherwise sterling reputation," shared yet another social media user.