Kid Rock helicopter crews suspension lifted by Pete Hegseth
A military helicopter flies over a No Kings protest on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV | access point
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday summarily reversed the U.S. Army’s suspension of two AH 64 hours earlier. Apache helicopter crews flew around musician Kid Rock’s home over the weekend.
Hegseth’s move, which also quashed the Army investigation into the crew’s actions, came shortly after President Donald Trump said he liked Kid Rock, a prominent supporter, even though he suggested the crew’s actions were unauthorized.
“Thank you @KidRock,” Hegseth wrote in a post on his personal X social media account.
“@US Army pilots’ suspensions LIFTED. No penalties. No investigations,” the Pentagon chief wrote.
“Go ahead, patriots.”
The announcement by Army spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell came a day after the Army said it was investigating Saturday’s flight near Nashville, Tennessee. Kid Rock shared on his X social media account.
Videos posted by the singer show helicopters flying near Kid Rock’s pool, greeting the crew and shaking his fist as he stands near the miniature Statue of Liberty.
The flight came on the same day that Nashville and many other cities across the United States saw “No to Kings” demonstrations against President Donald Trump.
Kid Rock is a prominent Trump supporter performing at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
“The Army confirms that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that attracted public and media attention,” Russell said in a statement. he said.
“This incident is currently 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 applicable FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol and approval requirements,” Russell said. he 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.
Kid Rock holds an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the U.S. live entertainment ticket industry in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC on March 31, 2025.
Leah Millis | Reuters
At an event at the White House on Tuesday, Trump was asked what he thought about the suspension of aircrews and flights.
“They probably shouldn’t have done that,” Trump said. “Yeah, you’re not supposed to play games, right?”
“But I look at this. They love Kid Rock. I love Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him. I don’t know,” Trump added.
