FROM THE HILL: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign to oust service members celebrating or mocking the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk online has already seen at least eight people suspended or placed under investigation, with legal experts warning of a chilling effect on free speech.
The disciplinary actions — including suspensions of at least five Army officers and an Air Force senior master sergeant, a Marine officer relieved of his recruiting duties and placed under investigation and an Army Reserve major also being looked at, according to Task and Purpose — comes after Hegseth last week ordered staff to actively search for anyone working for the Defense Department who condoned or made fun of Kirk’s Sept. 10 death.
But a “witch hunt” for individuals who criticize someone that the Trump administration is lionizing is “extremely dangerous” as it threatens to remove the long-held apolitical nature of the military, according to Rachel VanLandingham, a former Air Force judge advocate and now a law professor at Southwestern Law School.
“Going beyond things that directly impact good order and discipline, directly impact the military mission, just to retribute and punish and therefore suppress and chill any personal expression based on ideological grounds is beyond the pale,” VanLandingham said.
“We’ve never seen institutionally . . . the ability of the Pentagon to limit speech utilized to such an extent purely on ideological grounds,” she told The Hill.
The discipline followed a declaration last Thursday from Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who wrote on X, “It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.”
Hegseth responded with an announcement the same day on X. He said, “We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable.”
We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable. https://t.co/9weALT5Pb7
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 11, 2025
The secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force each followed with concuring statements.
Posts that celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American are inconsistent with Army values. Full stop. https://t.co/ZrBIaahO2d
— Secretary of the Army (@SecArmy) September 12, 2025
I am aware of posts displaying contempt toward a fellow American who was assassinated. 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 @USNavy or the @USMC will be dealt…
— Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan (@SECNAV) September 12, 2025
Airmen and Guardians, I want to remind you that your words and actions – both online and in-person – matter. Be smart. Know the rules. Our nation’s trust and confidence depend on it. pic.twitter.com/M6sOSyuGcW
— Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (@SecAFOfficial) September 17, 2025
READ MORE AT THE HILL
VIDEO: President Trump’s full remarks at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service
