War Secretary Pete Hegseth reversed course hours after the U.S. Army suspended the crews of the two helicopters that hovered above Kid Rock‘s Nashville home, lifting the suspension and investigation into the incident.
“Thank you @KidRock. @USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED,” Hegseth posted on X. “No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”
The Army had suspended the crews during its investigation into a video the country music star posted on X that showed him saluting an Apache attack helicopter outside his home. Kid Rock, born Robert Ritchie, stood next to a miniature Statue of Liberty while clapping for the hovering helicopters.
“The Army has confirmed that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that has attracted public and media attention,” Army spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell said in a statement to the Washington Examiner earlier on Tuesday afternoon. “This incident is now under an Army Regulation 15-6 administrative investigation.”
“The personnel involved have been suspended from flight duties while the Army reviews the circumstances surrounding the mission, including compliance with relevant FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol, and approval requirements,” Russell continued.
The Army did not specify what type of flight the Apache helicopters were conducting when they flew by Kid Rock’s house. Russell said in the statement, “The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable.”
President Donald Trump addressed the incident during an Oval Office press gaggle Tuesday. He said he had not seen the video of the helicopters but that “I’m sure they had a good time.
“Well, they probably shouldn’t have been doing it because you’re not supposed to be playing games, right?” Trump said. “But I’ll take a look at it. They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him. I don’t know.”
Kid Rock used the fly-by video he posted on X on Sunday to take a jab at Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA).
ARMY REVIEWING VIDEO OF APACHE HELICOPTER HOVERING OUTSIDE KID ROCK’S HOME
“This is a level of respect that s*** for brains Governor of California will never know,” Kid Rock wrote. “God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.”
Hegseth reposted Kid Rock’s statement as he announced both the Army’s investigation and suspension had been lifted.
Mike Brest contributed to this report.
