The Navy punished Special Warfare forces for flying a Trump flag on a military convoy while driving on Interstate 65 through Louisville on Jan. 29 because of how it allegedly instilled fear in residents.
The service members “violated the spirit and intent of applicable DoD regulations concerning the flying of flags and the apparent endorsement of political activities,” according to a statement released Tuesday from Lt. Jacqui Maxwell of the Naval Special Warfare Group 2 in Virginia Beach, Va.
“Administrative corrective measures” have been taken against the individuals based on their involvement.
The punishment comes after the Navy had said it was looking into the incident.
Some people who reported the incident said it created the appearance of a “banana republic” by pledging to a national leader than a country. Military protocol maintains service members should not endorse any “political candidate, campaign or cause.”
