U.S. Air Forces Europe (USAFE) corrected the social media backlash on Thursday over claims that soldiers violated a rule by letting President Donald Trump sign their MAGA hats.
Trump made two surprise visits over the holiday week to soldiers stationed at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq and Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
He took pictures with soldiers and signed autographs alongside first lady Melania Trump.
CNN and many people on social media accused the president and soldiers of breaking a rule by signing his now iconic “Make America Great Again” hats.
“There is no rule against airmen bringing personal items to be signed by the president,” the USAFE said in a statement to Military.com.
“There is no rule against airmen bringing personal items to be signed by the president.”
Related: Trump Surprises U.S. Troops with Holiday Visit to Iraq
CNN claimed the soldiers may have broken a rule by allowing the president to sign those hats.
The rule in question is a directive that forbids soldiers from taking part in partisan activities while in uniform.
CNN did include a response from an official who said the soldiers at Ramstein merely brought personal items and didn’t break the rules.
As a former Navy JAG, I can tell you that engaging in partisan political activity such as flying a Trump flag or wearing a MAGA hat, while in uniform is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and its implementing regs. https://t.co/lN7Au7YQ1r
— Pam Keith (@PamKeithFL) December 27, 2018
“President Donald Trump made his first visit to a war zone on Wednesday, receiving an enthusiastic reception from many US troops there,” the CNN article stated, adding, “some of whom may have run afoul of military rules.”
The USAFE argued the encounter didn’t rise to any actual violation of rules, since the soldiers were merely bringing personal items for the president to sign instead of making a political statement or act.
The USAFE said that while troops held the hats for signing, they did not wear them while in uniform.
Related: CNN Bashed for Slamming U.S. Troops Who Asked Trump to Sign Their MAGA Hats
“Any time the commander in chief offers the opportunity to meet with airmen, such as this official holiday visit by the president and first lady, airmen are welcome to participate. No policy violations have been brought to our attention at this time,” USAFE said.
USAFE said it is unaware of any actions during the event that violated the directive.
The Department of Defense directive specifically states that personnel must refrain from engaging in partisan political activities when in uniform and should avoid the inference that the military sponsored, approved or endorsed a political candidate, campaign, or cause.
USAFE said it is unaware of any actions during the event that violated that directive.
The MAGA hats, as they are commonly known, became a symbol of Trump’s campaign during the 2016 election and they’ve been so ever since.
His supporters continue to wear the hats, which have become symbols of the Trump presidency and his promise to make American great again — which likely caused pundits and many on social media to assume the act violated the rule.
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