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
Hermit-The-Prog
(36,589 posts)mwb970
(11,703 posts)I am so sick of them! It's maddening to be surrounded by so many disgusting, stupid people.
jvill
(361 posts)..
FakeNoose
(35,690 posts)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.
Wonder Why
(4,589 posts)4catsmom
(227 posts)they lie as easily as they breathe. but maybe it will put the fear in some of these militia types
intheflow
(28,941 posts)They want to use the military against citizens so they think Democrats want to, too.
ArkansasDemocrat1
(3,213 posts)Spitting will become a thing again
Bayard
(24,145 posts)I am appalled that RFK jr has 4 million followers.
BadGimp
(4,063 posts)"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."