Hegseth tells Pentagon staff to hunt for negative Charlie Kirk posts by service members

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told his staff to identify any members of the military mocking or condoning the assassination of the conservative activist.

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told his staff to identify any members of the military who have mocked or condoned the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk so that they can be punished, two defense officials told NBC News.

Several service members have been relieved from their jobs because of such posts, the officials said, adding that Hegseth’s directive also pertains to others associated with the Defense Department. It’s unclear exactly how many people have been disciplined.

Hegseth and other senior Pentagon leaders posted messages on X this week calling on the public to report any posts that could be interpreted as negative about Kirk or unsympathetic about his murder.

“We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable,” Hegseth wrote on X Thursday.

His post was in response to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell saying on X, “It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.”