Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered disciplinary action against military and Pentagon personnel who mocked or condoned the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with several already relieved of duty.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Pentagon officials to identify and punish any military personnel or staff linked to the Defense Department who mocked or condoned the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, NBC News reported Friday.
Two defense officials confirmed that several service members have already been relieved of duty over such posts, though the exact number remains unclear. “We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable,” Hegseth wrote on X Thursday.
His comments followed Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell’s warning that, “It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.”
Dozens of flagged posts have been compiled under the hashtag #RevolutionariesintheRanks, some openly hostile toward Kirk. One read, “I don’t give a s— about Charlie Kirk,” while another said, “The hatred you spew is enough to get you what you deserve pal.”
Separately, FEMA confirmed placing an employee on administrative leave after disparaging remarks about Kirk surfaced. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead Wednesday at Utah Valley University.
Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who faces aggravated murder and firearm charges.