CNN continued to fan the flames of controversy over President Trump signing MAGA hats for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Germany.

Jim Acosta followed his network’s lead after CNN complained that U.S. service members “may have violated a military rule” by asking the president to sign their “Make America Great Again” hats when he visited Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on Wednesday.

Here, CNN asks if troops serving in a war zone on Christmas should be disciplined for having Trump sign ‘Trump 2020’ gear. Is there any line of questioning beneath CNN? pic.twitter.com/dc4UU3Chyc — Benny (@bennyjohnson) December 27, 2018

The CNN correspondent turned the focus on the actions of the troops, asking Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr and former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby about military protocol.

“It is in fact a campaign slogan, it is a campaign item, and it’s completely inappropriate for them to do this,” Kirby said. “Not supposed to do this and I’m sure that their boss is seeing this and they’re not gonna be happy about it.”

“This is very much against military policy and regulation,” Starr agreed.

Josh Campbell, a CNN analyst and former FBI agent, even suggested that the White House used the troops as “political pawns” in photo ops.

Three things can all be true at the same time: * A President honorably visiting troops overseas * Deployed troops grateful to see their President * A White House using troops as political pawns in photo ops — Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) December 27, 2018

Many others, however, including former Marine and The Daily Caller editor-in-chief, Geoffrey Ingersoll, fired back at the accusations.

Not even could. It wasn’t a campaign event and they were not there in any official capacity to support a candidate for public office. Asking the sitting president to sign a hat is not even remotely a breach of protocol.https://t.co/DKrQ9FAYyl https://t.co/mBBZMHTRkL — Geoffrey Ingersoll (@GPIngersoll) December 27, 2018

The president and first lady Melania Trump were also enthusiastically greeted by more than 200 Airmen at a stop at a Ramstein Air Base aircraft hangar on Thursday, with many there also bringing their items to be signed. Critics noted again that the actions by the troops violated Department of Defense guidelines.

There are myriad reasons for both a Department of Defense and an Army Regulation against military personnel participating in or showing allegiance to ANY political party while in uniform. Good commanders enforce; good NCOs jerk a knot in the asses of those who violate. — Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) December 27, 2018

But U.S. Air Forces Europe noted that troops were not taking part in partisan activities by asking their commander-in-chief to sign personal items.

“There is no rule against Airmen bringing personal items to be signed by the president,” USAFE said in a statement, according to Military.com.

“Any time the commander in chief offers the opportunity to meet with Airmen, such as this official holiday visit by the President and First Lady, Airmen are welcome to participate. No policy violations have been brought to our attention at this time,” USAFE said.

Former Trump administration official, Sebastian Gorka, tore into the “lowlifes” attacking the troops and Trump.

#FAKENEWS Fifth-Columnists at @CNN & @MSNBC are airing the threat of UCMJ sanctions against our warfighters in Iraq. You lowlifes know this, but for everyone else out there: Asking your Commander-in-Chief to sign a MAGA hat is NOT a political campaign action and is not illegal. pic.twitter.com/o9iCCPzvp8 — Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) December 27, 2018

Now @CNN should shut their mouths. But they won’t. Because they hate those that love America. Especially our warfighters. https://t.co/utgX9cRNsY — Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) December 28, 2018

Of course, the president was not about to stay silent on the issue, especially in light of CNN pushing the narrative and attacking the military. Trump fired back on Twitter Thursday, aclling out “CNN & others within the Fake News Universe.”

CNN & others within the Fake News Universe were going wild about my signing MAGA hats for our military in Iraq and Germany. If these brave young people ask me to sign their hat, I will sign. Can you imagine my saying NO? We brought or gave NO hats as the Fake News first reported! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2018

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told CNN that the hats were brought personally by the troops and were not given out by the White House.

Many backed the president and continued to defend the U.S. service members who are being thrown under the bus to push their liberal narrative agenda.

Imagine being so desperate to own Trump that you try to get the troops in trouble on Christmas. Sick people. https://t.co/HUgrGjo9Cz — Amber Athey (@amber_athey) December 27, 2018

There are no higher ups. He’s the commander in Chief . He’s not a candidate for any office. He’s their boss. — Trudeau’s Eyebrow (@casey_cronan) December 27, 2018

This is the epitome of #FakeNews. Military personnel brought #MAGA hats, gave the President a standing ovation & took selfies. The media couldn’t stand it. The same networks that shunned Trump for not visiting the troops then shunned the very troops he visited who support him. — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) December 28, 2018

So very tired of this Trump hate. — Pat (@SecretPat102) December 28, 2018

Have any of them mentioned that Melania was the 1st sitting @FLOTUS since 1969 to visit a war zone? — Mr Big Stuff (@bcwinbig) December 28, 2018

Attacking our GI’s on Christmas because they want autographs and a picture with our President for keepsakes? Speechless. — @Skyfalls007 (@skyfalls007) December 28, 2018

To all the folks claiming troops shouldn’t side with a political side. I’ve been a soldier, I’ll side with the leader that brings us home and so will the rest. You go to war and tell me different.. only a soldier knows the value of peace. — mike (@mike45993315) December 27, 2018