Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and military leaders vow swift action against personnel who celebrate or mock the conservative activist’s death, calling such behavior “completely unacceptable.”
The Department of Defense, under the Trump administration’s preferred name, the Department of War, is actively “tracking” comments made by its civilian and military employees regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with leaders across the services warning of severe consequences for any inappropriate remarks.
The warnings came in the wake of Wednesday’s fatal shooting of Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University. While the killing has been widely condemned by political figures from both sides of the aisle, a small number of social media users have drawn outrage for mocking or celebrating his death.
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In a social media post on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the backlash, stating, “We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable.” His comments followed a statement from chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, who said it is “unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American. The Department of War has zero tolerance for it.”
The statements did not provide specific examples of personnel who had reacted positively to Kirk’s death, but leaders from various military branches have since issued similar warnings. Navy Secretary John Phelan cautioned sailors, Marines, and civilians that they “will be dealt with swiftly and decisively” if they bring “discredit” on the department.
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“I am aware of posts displaying contempt toward a fellow American who was assassinated,” Phelan wrote on the social platform X late Thursday. “I want to be very clear: any uniformed or civilian employee of the Department of the Navy who acts in a manner that brings discredit upon the Department, the [U.S. Navy] or the [Marine Corps] will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”
The official X account for the U.S. Coast Guard also acknowledged the issue, stating it “is aware of inappropriate personal social media activity made by a member regarding recent political violence.” The post added that such activity “is contrary to our core values” and that an investigation is underway to “hold the individual accountable.”
Kirk was assassinated at the university campus in Utah. Following a search, officials identified the suspected shooter as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah man. The condemnation of the killing has been widespread, including from all living former U.S. presidents.
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