Pentagon orders search for service members celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination; several personnel fired

War Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered Pentagon officials to identify and discipline military personnel who have celebrated or mocked the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, the department said.

Hegseth’s instruction followed public posts from Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell condemning such conduct as “unacceptable” for military personnel and civilian employees. Parnell wrote that the Department of Defense has “zero tolerance” for celebrating the killing of a fellow American. Hegseth posted on X that the department is “tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately.”

NBC News reported Friday that Hegseth directed his staff to locate service members or others associated with the department who condoned the political violence so they can be removed from their positions. The network said several service members have already been terminated over social-media posts, though the exact number of disciplined personnel is unclear.

Since Kirk’s killing on Wednesday, users on X have flagged posts by public officials, educators and members of the armed services that appear to celebrate or mock the murder, often using the hashtag RevolutionariesintheRanks. Examples cited online include posts saying Kirk “got what he deserves” and describing the killing as holding him “accountable.”

A Marine Corps recruiter was removed from recruiting duties Thursday after sharing a photo of Kirk on Instagram with the caption, “Another racist man popped.” Capt. Capt. Austin Gallegos told Task & Purpose that the service member “has been relieved of his recruiting duties, and the matter is currently under investigation.”

Kirk, 31, was shot dead Wednesday while hosting an event on the campus of Utah Valley University. Authorities announced the arrest on Friday of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspected gunman.