FACT CHECK: Does A Department Of Defense Directive Authorize Military To Use Lethal Force Against US Citizens?
A video shared on Instagram claims a directive from the Department of Defense (DOD) authorized lethal force against U.S. citizens.
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Verdict: False
A DOD spokesperson provided a statement to Check Your Fact debunking the claim.
Fact Check:
In an airstrike on Syria Monday night, the U.S. military killed up to 35 militants, according to CBS News. There has recently been an increase in ISIS suspects in Syria and Iraq, though their influence is diminishing, the outlet reported.
An Instagram video alleges that the DOD has authorized the use of lethal force against U.S. citizens. The video shows a man speaking, the content of his message resembling what is written in the caption.
“The Department of Defense Directive 5240.01 was quietly amended recently. While this has been updated several times, the amendments never deviated from its fundamental purpose of intelligence collection to intercept threats,” the post reads, in part. “The most recent revision, approved by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks to be effective on September 27th NOW includes the legal use of lethal force against civilians by the military if directed by DoD, over-riding Posse Comitatus laws that should protect us.”
This claim is incorrect, however. The post refers to Directive 5240.01, which outlines how military intelligence can be used by local law enforcement and other U.S. authorities, according to Newsweek. The directive does not grant new power to the military, but rather reminds the Pentagon that if they are aiding law enforcement in a situation in which force could be utilized, they must first have this authorized by the Secretary of Defense, the outlet reported. (RELATED: No, FEMA Isn’t Planning On Executing 70-80k People)
“The policies concerning the use of force by DOD addressed in DoDD 5240.01 are not new, and do not authorize the DOD to use lethal force against U.S. citizens or people located inside the United States, contrary to rumors and rhetoric circulating on social media,” DOD spokesperson Sue Gough told Check Your Fact via email. “While the paragraph that’s been most frequently referenced on social media is new to this directive, it does not reflect any change to DOD’s policy regarding the use of lethal force by DOD personnel.”
Gough went on to add that “the release was in no way timed in relation to the election or any other event.”
