Pentagon denies lies about soldiers’ use of force during election

By TARA COPP

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

Disinformation – spread on the Internet by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.among other things — suggests that the Defense Department policy revision released in late September was intended to interfere with the Nov. 5 presidential election.

The use of force by federal troops on U.S. soil against U.S. civilians is unlawful – except in cases of self-defense – and is defined by the Posse Comitatus Act.

Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and he supported former President Donald Trump, a Republicantweeted a false narrative to his 4 million followers. He falsely claims that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, pushed through a Defense Department directive authorizing the use of lethal force against Americans protesting government policies.

The change in question is Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, which does not allow soldiers to use force against US citizens. Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough said its release date was not related to the election.

“The Department of Defense’s use of force policy at DoDD 5240.01 is not new and does not authorize the Department of Defense to use lethal force against U.S. citizens or persons within the United States, contrary to rumors and rhetoric circulating on social media,” Gough stated in a statement to the Associated Press.

The Pentagon regularly updates its directives. The purpose of this update was to align language regarding use of force from other policies with section 5240.01, which applies only to defense intelligence personnel.

Describes the type of support these personnel can provide to civilian law enforcement in situations where confrontation or deadly force is likely.

Defense intelligence personnel may provide civilian authorities with intelligence, analysis, training, equipment, and even weapons. However, they are still prohibited from using force in such situations.

Originally published: October 25, 2024 at 12:52 pm