Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan has issued a sharp warning to all troops and civilian defense personnel to refrain from engaging in partisan political activity.
The directive, sent out Tuesday and obtained by the Washington Examiner, came after two incidents during President Trump’s visit to Japan.
In one, the USS John S. McCain was hidden from view because of Trump’s antipathy toward the late Sen. John McCain, after whose father and grandfather, both admirals, the ship was named. In the other, some sailors wore uniform patches bearing the words “Make Aircrew Great Again” — a play on Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan — and Trump’s image.
“Our mission, to protect and defend the nation, is apolitical,” the memo read. “I call on leaders at all levels in the department to reinforce the apolitical nature of military and civilian service and professionalism, while ensuring all personnel remain free to exercise the responsibilities of citizenship as laws and regulations allow.”
The Pentagon is reviewing whether the patches violated regulations.
Airmen onboard the USS WASP wearing patches on their jumpsuits that read “Make Aircrew Great Again.” The patches include an image in the center in the likeness of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/rQKAyrcDte
— Vivian Salama (@vmsalama) May 28, 2019
The memo said that although service members are allowed to participate in certain political activities, “our policy and tradition also limit active partisan political activities or actions that could appear to imply DOD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause.”
It referred to the Hatch Act, which limits activities appearing to advocate for a candidate or political cause while operating in a federal capacity.
“Regardless of whether civilian employees may engage in political activity, they may never engage in such activity while on-duty or in a federal building,” the memo reads.
The memo came the same day as it was reported that Trump was questioning his decision to confirm Shanahan as Pentagon chief and relinquish his “acting” status.
