In an unprecedented move, the Pentagon firmly rejected misinformation circulating on social media that inaccurately claims U.S. troops have been given the authority to use force against American citizens amid the upcoming presidential election. The spread of this false narrative has been fueled by notable figures such as former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who have suggested that a recent revision of Defense Department policy was intended to influence the election scheduled for November 5.
The misinformation alleges that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have enacted a directive that allows federal troops to deploy lethal force against Americans protesting government actions. However, Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough clarified that such actions are illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of federal troops against civilians unless in cases of self-defense. “The policies concerning the use of force by DOD addressed in DoDD 5240.01 are not new and do not authorize the DOD to use lethal force against U.S. citizens or people located inside the United States,” Gough stated, emphasizing that the directive does not alter existing laws regarding military engagement with civilians.
The directive in question, Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, was updated to better align its language with other existing policies and specifically applies to defense intelligence personnel. It outlines the type of support these personnel can offer to civilian law enforcement during high-tension scenarios where a confrontation or lethal force may be necessary. However, the directive maintains that while defense intelligence personnel can provide intelligence, analysis, training, and equipment, they are barred from using force themselves.
This clarification from the Pentagon comes at a crucial time when misinformation could have significant implications for the public’s perception of military involvement in domestic affairs, especially during an election period. The department’s insistence on the legality of its operations aims to reassure citizens that the military remains a neutral entity in the political sphere, dedicated solely to national defense rather than domestic enforcement.
