Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., wants the Army to remove an officer who posted pictures of himself on social media promoting pro-communist messages, and is asking the United States Military Academy to consider rescinding his degree.

Rubio sent a letter to acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Tuesday to complain about 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone's conduct, and to ask whether West Point's administrators or faculty knew about his pro-communist views. Rapone is now an infantry officer in the Army.

"While I strongly believe academic institutions must respect the exchange of ideas and allow students to voice their opinions, members of the military who harbor anti-American views and express their desire to harm our country and its leaders are unfit to serve and defend our nation — and certainly should not enjoy the privilege of attending or graduating from an institution such as West Point, a taxpayer-funded military academy," Rubio wrote.

Rapone posted two photos on Twitter last week expressing pro-communist views. In one photo, the West Point graduate opened the buttons of his uniform to reveal a Che Guevara T-shirt underneath.

"In case there was any lingering doubt, hasta la victoria siempre," he tweeted.

In a second tweet, Rapone included a photo of himself holding his military hat that said "Communism will win" written underneath it. The tweet included #VeteransForKaepernick, a reference to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has been criticized for kneeling during the national anthem.

Rapone also called Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis "vile" and "evil," said he would "happily dance" on Sen. John McCain's, R-Ariz., grave, and expressed support for Chelsea Manning, a former Army private who was convicted for violating the Espionage Act after leaking confidential documents with WikiLeaks.

The Florida senator said Rapone's postings on social media, which are no longer public, indicate he had plans to "infiltrate and sabotage the military."

"It is extremely concerning that someone who so often expressed such hostile views towards the United States' system of government was able to obtain a commission," Rubio wrote. "Rapone's revolutionary ideas were harbored long before he was commissioned as an Army second lieutenant. Were West Point administrators or faculty aware of his views and behavior?"

In addition to requesting the Army nullify Rapone's commission, Rubio asked the military to pursue disciplinary options under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and for West Point to look into revoking his degree. Rubio also said Rapone should have to pay back his tuition to the U.S. Military Academy.

"This is clearly not just a matter of law but also of common sense, and I can only assume Rapone's unchecked behavior is an extreme embarrassment for the United States Army and the United States Military Academy," he wrote.

According to the Military Times, Rapone enlisted in September 2010 and served in Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Robert Bockholt, a spokesman for U.S. Army Special Operations Command, said Rapone was "removed for standards" from the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in 2011.

Rapone then attended West Point, and is currently assigned to the 10th Mountain Division.

West Point c ondemned Rapone's actions last week and said the Army is looking into them.