Hegseth says suspension lifted for Army crew seen in video flying Apache helicopters at Kid Rock’s home

Hegseth Confirms Army Pilots’ Suspension Lifted After Apache Flyby at Kid Rock’s Home

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that the Army pilots involved in a recent incident over Kid Rock’s Nashville-area residence have had their suspensions lifted, with no further inquiry planned. Hegseth shared a video from Kid Rock, praising the musician as a long-time Trump supporter and stating that the crews’ disciplinary actions were reversed.

“No punishment. No investigation, Carry on, patriots,” Hegseth posted on X, accompanied by the video.

The Army initially suspended the crews and launched an investigation following Kid Rock’s footage of Apache helicopters circling his home. Trump, however, remained indifferent to the situation, denying he had viewed the video while suggesting the pilots might have been acting in defense of the musician.

“I’m sure they had a good time,” Trump said, adding, “They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him. I don’t know.”

Maj. Montrell Russell clarified that the personnel involved in the Saturday flyby were suspended from flight duties while the Army examined the mission’s compliance with FAA rules, safety protocols, and approval processes. “The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable,” Russell stated.

The crews operating the two AH-64 Apache helicopters are members of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. A spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division told CNN Monday that a review was ongoing, with “appropriate action” to be taken if violations were confirmed.

“Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight regulations,” Maj. Jonathon Bless said.

Kid Rock’s video captures the event, showcasing a helicopter briefly hovering near his pool, which he jokingly referred to as “The Southern White House.” In a subsequent clip, he celebrates as two helicopters pass by, declaring, “This is a level of respect that sh*t for brains Governor of California will never know.” The reference was to Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who has clashed with Trump on social media.

Newsom had earlier “banned” Kid Rock from California in an X post, sparking frequent online disputes between the two. CNN has sought additional comments from Kid Rock’s representative, Creative Artists Agency, to provide further context on the situation.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNN’s Kit Maher contributed to the report.