The U.S. Army has suspended the crew members of two Apache attack helicopters after the aircraft were recorded flying close to the home of singer Kid Rock in Nashville, a U.S. official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to provide additional details about the suspension.
Over the weekend, the singer posted video footage on X showing two Army Apache helicopters passing near his house in Nashville, Tennessee. In the clip, the performer stands near his swimming pool and can be seen saluting one of the hovering aircraft. Separate images and video also captured military helicopters flying in proximity to demonstrators who gathered in the city.
The protests in Nashville were part of the broader anti-Trump "No Kings" demonstrations, which organizers planned to hold at more than 3,200 events across all 50 states over the weekend. Local news outlets reported that thousands participated in the Nashville demonstrations. Previous nationwide events under the same movement drew millions of participants, according to material provided about the protests.
According to available reports, demonstrators were protesting several issues, including the current administration's deportation policies and military action in Iran, among other grievances directed at President Donald Trump. The military helicopters were observed near those gatherings, raising questions among critics and lawmakers about the nature and intent of the flights.
An Army spokesman declined to comment when contacted about the incident. Major Montrell Russell, a U.S. Army spokesperson, said on Monday: "Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight regulations. An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements." He added: "Appropriate action will be taken if any violations are found. Until the review is complete, there will be no further comment."
The U.S. military is officially expected to remain apolitical, loyal to the U.S. Constitution and independent of partisan movements. The reported suspension and the subsequent review arrive amid internal changes at the Pentagon since the current U.S. Secretary of Defense was sworn in last year. In that period, the secretary has moved to reshape the military leadership, dismissing senior generals and admirals as part of efforts to put in place what he describes as a new national security agenda and to remove diversity initiatives he has called discriminatory.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns that the administration is increasingly trying to involve the military in political matters. Those concerns were heightened by the helicopter flights near both a prominent political supporter of the president and demonstrators opposing the president's policies.
In his social media post about the helicopters, the singer also criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and added: "God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her."
The Army's administrative review will determine whether flight operations complied with established rules and airspace restrictions and whether any professional or safety standards were violated. Until that review concludes, military officials have declined further comment.