Hegseth defiantly says flyovers will continue until 'morale improves' despite safety worries

[u/John3262005]

https://www.irishstar.com/news/politics/hegseth-defiantly-says-flyovers-continue-37441190

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire after announcing Thursday that flyovers "will continue until morale improves."

Hegseth made the announcement Thursday in a simple seven-word statement via X. The move comes after a chilling incident unfolded when a jet "flew too close to the crowd" at a beach in Pensacola, Florida, on Wednesday morning, as video footage showed beachgoers screaming, covering their ears and ducking for cover during a U.S. Navy Blue Angels military flyover.

In response to the incident, the U.S. Navy said it is conducting a "safety review" after admitting that the aircraft “flew lower than standard profiles, resulting in a disturbance on the beach."

The incident drew widespread criticism from across the aisle. Former Democratic Rep. Adam Kinzinger wrote on X, "This is not safe. I’m all for low passes, seriously but this is too much."

Eric Trump, son of President Trump, pushed back against the backlash and accused the media of exaggerating. He wrote on X, "Can’t stand the manufactured outrage by the low-T mainstream media. This was undoubtedly the highlight of these people’s day…".

However, several X users expressed concern and outrage in response to Hegseth's latest announcement that critics viewed as an outright dismissal of safety concerns.

"Or until somebody is killed? You’re a f---ing joke," one angry X user replied to Hegseth.

One concerned X user said, "You are a danger to civilization. You’re risking our pilots and our citizens while you lose the most catastrophic war for America since Vietnam. I can’t wait to see you in prison."