UPDATE: Our original report stated that the convoy did not belong to troops from the National Guard or the US Army. That's true, but not the whole story. As later reported by ABC News , Lieutenant Jacqui Maxwell, a spokesperson for Naval Special Warfare Group 2, confirmed that the convoy was military in nature, belonging to a Naval Special Warfare Unit – more commonly known as a SEAL unit. Some SEAL units use Fort Knox, which is near Louisville, for various training purposes, the report continues. Since this in an improper display of a flag for military personnel, according to Department of Defense guidelines, the spokesperson said an inquiry is under way and disciplinary action may be taken against the unit.
Our earlier report referenced a theory that the vehicles were enthusiast-owned military surplus trucks, based on the best information available at that time. The original report continues below with some edits.
Footage of a convoy of military vehicles rolling down I-65 northbound in Kentucky, one of which is carrying a flag in support of President Donald Trump, is causing some concern this week. Well, we're here to tell you not to stress out too much. The military isn't dipping its toes into politics, but some surplus Humvee owners in Kentucky are more than likely breaking the law. Local farmer Steve Thompson was driving down I-65 on Sunday when he filmed the convoy. The video was uploaded to the activist site indivisiblesky.org.
"I just thought it was just a bunch of military vehicles," Thompson told the Lexington Herald Leader. "I was surprised because I figured you wouldn't be able to fly anything on a Humvee other than an American flag."
It is surprising and that's because it is against protocol for military personal to so overtly support political messages. The Department of Defense released revised guidelines over the summer, which state:
"Per longstanding DoD policy, active duty personnel may not engage in partisan political activities and all military personnel should avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause," the department stated in the run up to the 2016 election.
However, spokespeople for both the National Guard and nearby Fort Knox told the Courier-Journal the vehicles don't belong to their people. The drivers in this convoy are most likely enthusiasts who bought their vehicles from army surplus.
Related Video:
Our earlier report referenced a theory that the vehicles were enthusiast-owned military surplus trucks, based on the best information available at that time. The original report continues below with some edits.
Footage of a convoy of military vehicles rolling down I-65 northbound in Kentucky, one of which is carrying a flag in support of President Donald Trump, is causing some concern this week. Well, we're here to tell you not to stress out too much. The military isn't dipping its toes into politics, but some surplus Humvee owners in Kentucky are more than likely breaking the law. Local farmer Steve Thompson was driving down I-65 on Sunday when he filmed the convoy. The video was uploaded to the activist site indivisiblesky.org.
"I just thought it was just a bunch of military vehicles," Thompson told the Lexington Herald Leader. "I was surprised because I figured you wouldn't be able to fly anything on a Humvee other than an American flag."
It is surprising and that's because it is against protocol for military personal to so overtly support political messages. The Department of Defense released revised guidelines over the summer, which state:
"Per longstanding DoD policy, active duty personnel may not engage in partisan political activities and all military personnel should avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause," the department stated in the run up to the 2016 election.
However, spokespeople for both the National Guard and nearby Fort Knox told the Courier-Journal the vehicles don't belong to their people. The drivers in this convoy are most likely enthusiasts who bought their vehicles from army surplus.
Related Video:
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