Pentagon: Kamala Harris Doesn't Have To Return Salutes If She Doesn't Want To

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The vice president does not need to return salutes from military service members, the Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday, shortly after critics of Kamala Harris asserted that she purposely slighted an honor guard welcoming her aboard Air Force 2.

"DISGRACEFUL," tweeted Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who was imprisoned for tax fraud and lying to White House officials, and whom then-President Donald Trump pardoned last year. His late Tuesday post included footage of Harris boarding the government plane, passing two enlisted airmen rendering what the military calls a "hand salute." The video had been viewed almost a million times as of Wednesday morning.

"It is a clear demonstration of her dislike for those in uniform, both law-enforcement and military," said Kerik, who had been serving a four-year prison term before his February 2020 pardon.

Though many other critics of the Biden administration piled on over the perceived slight, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said late Wednesday that no military protocol exists that requires the vice president – who is not in the military chain of command – to return salutes.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pentagon-kamala-harris-doesnt-have-to-return-salutes-if-she-doesnt-want-to/ar-BB1eUPJy?li=BBnb7Kz

Civilians are not supposed to return military style salutes. It's always been this way till Ronald Reagan started returning salutes during his term.

Dwight Eisenhower never returned a salute as president in spite of an earlier career in the military.

[JI7]

1. HAHHAHAHA BERNARD KERIK

[JI7]

2. More empty bs. Veterans have it tougher than others in finding work

dealing within mental illness and ending up homeless.

But THIS empty non issue is what they focus on.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. And you just know the same people would be criticizing her if she returned the salute

because she's never been in the military. They're going to complain no matter what.

[Aristus]

4. I hope POTUS saluting or returning salutes will disappear soon.

Started by Hollywood soldier Ronald Reagan, to beef up his always-phony tough-guy image, subsequent Presidents have made it a rather idiotic tradition.

If a civilian is saluted by a member of the Armed Forces, the proper reply is a nod and a 'thank you'.

My father was an officer in the Army, with the appropriate sticker on his car windshield. When he drove onto the post, the MP on duty would see the sticker, and render a salute. If my father was in uniform, he returned the salute. If he was in civvies, he nodded and mouthed 'thank you' to the MP.

My mother often drove my Dad's car, and got a salute even when the MP knew my mother was not the officer the sticker represented. She nodded and thanked the MP.

Civilians should not salute. Period.

[gladium et scutum]

11. Harry Truman was the first to return a salute

[former9thward]

12. I don't think that it was started by Reagan.

This is Eisenhower

[erpowers]

5. She Is Not Covered (No Hat on Her Head)

I have never served in the military, but I did spend time in ROTC. We were taught that you were not supposed to return a salute if you were uncovered (no hat on your head). I have never like the idea of Presidents returning salutes for that reason. I have often wanted a President, or the military to end the practice of salutes and return salutes for Presidents.

I had not officially known that civilians were not supposed to return military salutes, but it makes sense. I had learned that Presidents before Reagan did not return salutes.

[blueinredohio]

6. That's what I always thought.

Non military personnel DO NOT salute.

[brewens]

7. Ha! Reagan never wore a flag pin! So there! LOL n/t

[Mr.Bill]

8. There is no requirement for any civilian

including the President to salute anybody. Reagan started the whole thing.

[GoCubsGo]

9. Convicted Felon says what?

You know what is "DISGRACEFUL"??? Those eight felonies for which you were convicted and served prison time. So, fuck off.

[TomSlick]

10. I would prefer that POTUS not return salutes. I would prefer that no civilian salute.

I have reconciled myself to POTUS returning salutes because s/he - so far just he but I can hope - is the Commander-in-Chief and it has become expected.

However, the Vice-President is not the CinC. She should not return salutes.

I have no problem with veterans rendering a hand salute when the National Anthem is played or the Colors pass - as in a parade. This is consistent with current law and a nice way for the country to recognize veterans.