Hegseth Cracks Down on Troops Who Cheered Kirk Assassination

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken disciplinary action against at least eight service members for their public reactions to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

At least five Army officers and an Air Force senior master sergeant have been suspended. A Marine officer has been relieved of recruiting duties and placed under investigation, as has an Army Reserve major. These actions follow Secretary Hegseth’s directive to identify Pentagon personnel who expressed approval of Kirk’s killing.

Task & Purpose, a military news outlet, was the first to report these disciplinary measures. They come in the wake of Kirk’s fatal shooting on September 10th at Utah Valley University, where the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA was speaking.

Related: Shots Fired at ABC10 Amid Protests Over Kimmel Show Suspension

Rachel VanLandingham, a former Air Force Judge Advocate and current law professor, has characterized the Pentagon’s actions as “extremely dangerous.” She argues that this approach threatens the military’s traditionally nonpartisan stance and may suppress personal expression on ideological grounds.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that it is “unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.” Secretary Hegseth echoed this sentiment, declaring such behavior “completely unacceptable.”

Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat and former Army Ranger, has criticized Hegseth’s actions as “dangerous and un-American.” Conversely, Republican Representative Ryan Zinke, a retired Navy SEAL, supports the removal of service members who celebrate political assassinations.

This development raises important questions about the balance between military discipline and individual expression. As the situation continues to unfold, the impact on military morale and the precedent for future cases remain to be seen.