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BumRushDaShow

(142,395 posts)
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 03:20 AM Oct 25

In rare move, Pentagon denies falsehood about troops allowed to use force during election

Source: AP

Updated 5:55 PM EDT, October 24, 2024


WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare move, the Pentagon strongly pushed back Thursday against misinformation spread on social media that falsely suggests U.S. troops have been authorized to use force against American citizens during the election.

The misinformation — spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., among others — suggests that a Defense Department policy revision released in late September was timed to interfere with the Nov. 5 presidential election. Use of force by federal troops on U.S. soil against U.S. civilians is against the law — except in cases of self-defense — and is outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act.

Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and backed Republican former President Donald Trump, tweeted the false narrative to his 4 million followers. It falsely claims that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, pushed through a Defense Department directive allowing lethal force against Americans who protest government policies.

The revision in question is Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, and it does not allow troops to use force on U.S. citizens. The timing of its release was not related to the election, Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough said.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-misinformation-military-use-of-force-a553b95097556580dba3b16bcf84480b

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mwb970

(11,703 posts)
2. OMG these damn republicans just lie and lie and LIE.
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 05:52 AM
Oct 25

I am so sick of them! It's maddening to be surrounded by so many disgusting, stupid people.

FakeNoose

(35,690 posts)
4. Michael Flynn needs to be court martialed
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 08:28 AM
Oct 25

Is there any way that can be arranged? Even though he's no longer in the military, he's been acting "dishonorably" for the last 10 years. He must be stopped, somehow.

4catsmom

(227 posts)
6. of course they would be spreading it
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 08:49 AM
Oct 25

they lie as easily as they breathe. but maybe it will put the fear in some of these militia types

intheflow

(28,941 posts)
7. Everything is a projection with these people.
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 09:16 AM
Oct 25

They want to use the military against citizens so they think Democrats want to, too.

ArkansasDemocrat1

(3,213 posts)
8. If they do, the soldier class can say goodbye to all that support the troops yak-yak
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 10:23 AM
Oct 25

Spitting will become a thing again

BadGimp

(4,063 posts)
10. The extent and the danger of the disinformation here is truly UN-American!
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 11:19 AM
Oct 25
"Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and backed Republican former President Donald Trump, tweeted the false narrative to his 4 million followers. It falsely claims that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, pushed through a Defense Department directive allowing lethal force against Americans who protest government policies."
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