Pentagon Defends Planned Display of Military Might at GOP Convention

The Pentagon said Thursday that the military is sending millions of dollars in arms to Philadelphia for display during the Republican Party convention but denied violating a rule against participation in partisan politics.

Defense Department spokesman Kenneth H. Bacon said the displays, from helicopters to a tank, were for members of Congress attending the GOP meeting and would be at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, away from next week’s convention site.

Bacon told reporters the static displays are being sent at the request of Republican Rep. Curt Weldon and Democratic Rep. Bob Brady, both of Pennsylvania, and that the same show will be made at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles next month if requested.

He denied that it is a violation of a long-standing Defense Department rule about staying out of politics and said that each branch of the armed forces will pay for its own display, calling it “an opportunity to educate elected officials upon the military’s capabilities and their equipment.”