Pete Hegseth lifts suspension of Kid Rock Army helicopter flyby crews after Trump comments

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday abruptly reversed the U.S. Army's suspension from flight duties hours earlier of two AH 64 Apache helicopter crews that flew around musician Kid Rock's home in Nashville, Tenn., over the weekend.

Hegseth's move, which also quashed an Army investigation of Saturday's unusual flyby, came shortly after President Donald Trump was asked about the incident by reporters at the White House.

Trump said he liked Kid Rock, who is a prominent supporter of his, even as the president suggested the crews' conduct was unauthorized.

"Thank you @KidRock," Hegseth wrote in a post on his personal X social media account shortly after Trump's comments.

The Army on Monday said that it was investigating the crews for the flyby, which Kid Rock had posted on his X social media account.

Videos posted by the singer show the choppers hovering close to Kid Rock's pool, with him saluting the crews and pumping his fist while standing close to a miniature Statue of Liberty.

"This is a level of respect that s--- for brains Governor of California will never know," the singer wrote in one post, referring to Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is engaged in an ongoing social media feud with Trump. "God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."

The flyby occurred on the same day that Nashville and many other cities around the United States saw "No Kings" demonstrations against Trump.

Apache helicopters, which appeared to be the ones that flew outside Kid Rock's house, also flew over the protests in Nashville that day.

Army spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell said Tuesday that the Army had "confirmed 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."

"This incident is now under an Army Regulation 15-6 administrative investigation," Russell said.

"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 said.

"The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable," the spokesman said.

Trump, during an event on Tuesday at the White House, was asked what he thought about the suspensions of the aircrews and the flyby.

"Well, they probably shouldn't have been doing it," Trump said. "Yes, you're not supposed to be playing games, right?"

"But I take a look at it. They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him. I don't know," Trump added.

Shortly after, Hegseth said he was lifting the crews' suspensions.