Pentagon Denies U.S. Troops Are Permitted To Use Force During Election

In a rare move, the Pentagon strongly refuted misinformation spreading on social media that falsely suggests US troops have been authorized to use force against American citizens during the election, Tara Copp reported for The Associated Press (AP).

The misinformation was spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn, and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The misinformation—spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., among others—falsely claims 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 US soil against civilians is illegal—except in cases of self-defense—and is outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act.

Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and endorsed Republican former President Donald Trump, tweeted the false narrative to his 4 million followers, claiming President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris pushed a directive allowing lethal force against Americans protesting government policies.

The revision in question, Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, does not permit the use of force on US citizens. The timing of its release was unrelated to the election, according to Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough.