John Kelly Tells Anti-Military Teacher 'To Go To Hell' (WATCH)

LOS ANGELES, CA — White House chief of staff John Kelly, not known for making public statements, had no reservations Wednesday about tearing into a Los Angeles high school teacher caught disparaging the armed forces on camera. The former U.S. Marine Corps general was blunt in his assessment of El Rancho High School teacher Gregory Salcido.

"I think the guy ought to go to hell,” Kelly told Fox News Radio. “I just hope he enjoys the liberties and the lifestyle that we have fought for."

Salcido has had a rough week since a student posted his tirade against the military online Friday. The El Rancho Unified School District Monday put Salcido on leave. The Pico Rivera City Council, on which he serves, was reported to have rescinded his committee appointments.

The three videos were recorded Jan. 19 by a 17-year-old student when Salcido, his teacher, began criticizing him for wearing a sweatshirt that said "U.S. Marines Corps."

Related: Teacher Tells Kids Military Members 'Lowest Of Our Low' (Watch)

Since the videos were posted online Friday, they’ve been viewed millions of times.
“We got a bunch of dumb----- over there. Think about the people who you know are over there," Salcido can be heard saying. "Your frickin' stupid Uncle Louie or whoever; they're dumb-----. They're not, like, high-level thinkers. They're not academic people. They're not intellectual people. They're the frickin' lowest of our low."

Salcido goes on to say the military members aren't immoral, but he does say they're not "talented people." He also takes issue with the fact that U.S. presidents say America has the best military in the world.

"No we don't," he tells the classroom. "The data is in, we don't have a good military."

Salcido says America hasn't been able to "beat anyone since World War II" and cites America's conflicts in Vietnam and the Middle East as evidence the military isn't as great as politicians make it out to be.

On Friday, Salcido posted a statement to his personal Facebook page that reads: "I don't think it's wise for me to make any comments, but I want my friends, family and students to know we are fine and we respect the rights of free expression for all individuals."

Patch Staffers By Daniel Hampton and Paige Austin and City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)