Hegseth Orders Pentagon to Track Down Service Members Celebrating Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
War Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Pentagon officials to identify and punish any U.S. military personnel caught celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The order comes after online sleuths uncovered disturbing social media posts from government employees, teachers, professors — and even members of the armed forces — mocking or cheering Kirk’s death. The 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder and father of two was gunned down Wednesday by a sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University.
We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable. https://t.co/9weALT5Pb7
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 11, 2025
“We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately,” Hegseth wrote on X Thursday. “Completely unacceptable.”
His message followed Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell’s stern warning that the Department of War has “zero tolerance” for personnel making light of political violence. “It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American,” Parnell said.
According to NBC News, Hegseth has ordered Pentagon staff to actively track down any service members or civilians affiliated with the department who posted celebratory comments online, with the goal of firing or disciplining them. Several military members have already been terminated, though officials have not confirmed the exact number.
Social media users have been flagging offensive posts under the hashtag #RevolutionariesInTheRanks. Among them:
- “Kirk got what he deserves period.”
Meet Dwayne Martin. Dwayne is an active duty logistics Captain in the US Army.
Dwayne says that Charlie “got what he deserves period” and calls him bigot and racist. Then he claims if Charlie was alive he would be forcing his 3 year old and 1 year old into “racist bigotry”… pic.twitter.com/BQPM4hR4AZ
— Aesthetica (@Anc_Aesthetics) September 12, 2025
- “Held accountable” in reference to his murder.
Guillermo Muniz of Ft. Bragg NC is a public affairs officer for the @USArmy. He’s also a conceal carry instructor at Iron Will Defense Group in Hope Mills.
Officer Muniz wrote in a Facebook post that people who “talk crap” deserve to be executed, and that Charlie Kirk was in… https://t.co/XCyULkrw5j pic.twitter.com/J9XtJVb9DK
— Sloan Rachmuth (@SloanRachmuth) September 11, 2025
One Marine Corps recruiter was quickly removed from duty after posting Kirk’s photo with the caption: “Another racist man popped.” Capt. Austin Gallegos confirmed to Task & Purpose that the Marine had been relieved of his duties pending investigation.
Kirk’s assassination has sent shockwaves across the nation, drawing condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum and sparking action from federal authorities. The suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested Friday and charged with aggravated murder.
Hegseth, a combat veteran and longtime advocate for restoring integrity in the ranks, has made clear that glorifying political assassinations will not be tolerated inside America’s armed forces.