Trump campaign flag on Kentucky convoy sparks Navy investigation
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Navy is investigating the apparent display of a Donald Trump presidential campaign flag by the lead vehicle in a military convoy.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Thursday that the Navy has repeatedly warned sailors against appearing to endorse candidates while on the job.
The convoy belongs to a special warfare unit based in Virginia Beach. But the images of a pro-Trump flag on a vehicle’s antenna first circulated on social media and through news reports in Kentucky.
A Navy spokeswoman told the Louisville Courier-Journal that the display wasn’t authorized.
“Yes, it was inappropriate,” Lt. Jacqui Maxwell of the Naval Special Warfare Group 2 in Virginia Beach told the newspaper. “It was unauthorized.”
“Yes, it was inappropriate. It was unauthorized.” >>> https://t.co/siQSWjkv3s pic.twitter.com/euUdS6YbI2
— Courier-Journal.com (@courierjournal) February 2, 2017
U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor also called the behavior “inappropriate.” He’s a Republican from Virginia Beach, a Trump supporter and a former Navy SEAL.
In October, the police chief in San Antonio, Texas, vowed to discipline more than a dozen officers seen in a Trump campaign video wearing “Make America Great Again” caps while in uniform.
Thank you Texas! If you haven't registered to VOTE- today is your last day. Go to: https://t.co/HfihPEA3Sp & get out on 11/8/16 to #MAGA! pic.twitter.com/KlRx4GoO64
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2016
Chief William McManus said in a statement the officers “displayed poor judgment” and violated city policy.