As soon as Tuberville’s hold was lifted, Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt from Missouri stepped in, blocking Jonsson’s promotion because of a commentary he wrote for Air Force Times in 2020, in which he urged his fellow white colonels to acknowledge racial disparities in the service. Missouri Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt is holding the promotion of Air Force Col. Ben Jonsson, citing an op-ed Jonsson penned about racism in the military. All of the former and current Air Force officers who spoke to Military Times about Jonsson regarded him highly, describing him as a “phenomenal and collaborative leader” who took the time as a commander to learn about his airmen as individuals.