Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged before the Armed Services Committee in the House of Representatives on Wednesday that he personally ordered the termination of a military investigation into Army pilots who flew Apache helicopters over Kid Rock’s Nashville home.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared in front of the House of Representatives on Wednesday -Credit:X
 (X)
“Did you personally direct termination of that review?” Representative George Whitesides, D-California, asked during the hearing. “I did,” Hegseth replied.

“How does canceling a command-initiated review support a culture of accountability?” Whitesides shot back. The confrontation came one day after Hegseth posted photos on social media showing himself and the musician standing in front of an Army Apache helicopter at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This news comes the same month Fox New reported that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed.

“Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops,” Hegseth wrote. “The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th – home of the free because of the brave.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the helicopters were operating “in support of a Freedom 250th community relations event.”

Kid Rock “participated in multiple troop touches with service members and filmed videos for Memorial Day, America’s 250th birthday, and for his Freedom 250 tour,” Parnell said. “The visit today provided an opportunity for Kid Rock to thank service members, highlight the professionalism of the men and women supporting the mission, and recognize their continued sacrifice in honor of our nation.”

The backlash traces back to March 28, when Army pilots flew two Apaches over Kid Rock’s home, which the musician calls “The Southern White House.”

Kid Rock posted a video showing him saluting one of the helicopters hovering near his swimming pool earlier this year -Credit:X

Kid Rock posted a video showing him saluting one of the helicopters hovering near his swimming pool and pumping his fist as both aircraft flew past.

The Army launched an investigation and suspended the pilots.

Hegseth quickly intervened, writing, “No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots,” on social media, shutting the investigation down entirely.

During the incident, President Trump commented, saying, “Well, they probably shouldn’t have been doing it, yes, you’re not supposed to be playing games, right? But I’d take a look at it. They like Kid Rock. I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him. I don’t know.”

Hegseth quickly intervened, clearing the pilots of any wrongdoing -Credit:X

Taking to X, critics quickly racked in the comments.

“So Hegseth is allowing very expensive war helicopters to do flybys?” one commenter wrote.

Another added, “Any accountability for such activity cannot be questioned? DOD keeps asking for more money to support war efforts but can waste army time in such a manner?”

“Going over house of celebrities and relatives actually can be part of training,” one user wrote.