WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, dubbed “Pentagon Pete” by critics and “Secretary of War” by his allies, has launched nearly 300 investigations into Department of Defense employees for social media posts perceived as mocking or celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to internal documents reviewed by The Washington Post.
The probe, which has already resulted in reprimands, suspensions, and firings, has ignited bipartisan alarm over potential politicization of the military, with former officials warning it risks subordinating a nonpartisan institution to a partisan agenda.
The crackdown began shortly after Kirk, the 32-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA and a vocal Trump supporter, was fatally shot by a sniper on September 10, 2025, during a rally at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
The incident, classified as domestic terrorism, prompted an outpouring of grief from the right, but also drew scattered online comments from DoD personnel that Hegseth and his team deemed “unacceptable.”
As of September 30, the investigations encompassed 128 service members and 158 civilians or contractors, with 26 service members reprimanded, three facing nonjudicial punishment, and three on the verge of removal.
Two civilians were outright fired.
Service Members Second-Guess Their Roles
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the actions in a statement to The Post, emphasizing that “those who ‘rejoice at an act of domestic terrorism are unfit to serve the American people.’”
He added, “It’s a violation of the oath, it’s conduct unbecoming.”
The directive, which Hegseth issued personally, has led to a chilling effect across the ranks, with troops and staff second-guessing every post amid fears of “politically motivated punishments,” as one anonymous service member told Politico.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Trump loyalist, escalated the rhetoric during a September 30 lecture to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
In an unprecedented address, he railed against “fat troops” and “fat generals,” calling it “completely unacceptable” and tying it to broader discipline issues.
“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations… and see fat troops,” Hegseth said, according to attendees.
He also fixated on beards and long hair, reminding officers they must meet height, weight, and annual physical training standards.
The speech, attended by generals from around the world, was part of Hegseth’s push to “clean up a diseased temple three decades in the making,” as he posted on X.
Addressing Charlie Kirk Critics
The investigations aren’t limited to overt mockery; some targeted posts that merely quoted Kirk critically or expressed neutral views, per congressional aides.
In one high-profile case, Col. Amy Nieman, the principal legal adviser to an elite Army unit, was suspended pending review for a post deemed unfavorable, according to a defense official and an email obtained by Politico.
The Air Force issued new social media guidance on September 17, directing commanders to use “all tools available” to investigate violations, while Under Secretary Matt Lohmeier called for probes into an airman’s chain of command over a single post.
Broader Crackdown: From Social Media to Press Restrictions
This isn’t Hegseth’s first foray into narrative control. In May 2025, he imposed strict rules limiting reporters’ access at the Pentagon, requiring escorts outside designated zones to curb “unauthorized disclosures.”
External watchdogs and newsroom groups blasted the policy on October 8 as “chilling and potentially unconstitutional,” warning of credential revocations and source intimidation.
An ongoing dialogue between veteran defense reporters and Pentagon officials shows no resolution in sight.
The Kirk probe fits a pattern of heightened scrutiny. On September 12, Hegseth told staff to identify service members mocking the killing for punishment, per two defense officials speaking to NBC News. By September 13, The Hill reported the Pentagon was “tracking” comments, with zero tolerance for glorification.
CBS News noted at least one Marine was relieved of recruiting duties and five Army officers suspended, while USA Today highlighted a fired Marine for calling Kirk a “racist man” who was “popped.”
Crooks and Liars on October 9 decried the effort as subordinating the military to politics, quoting Parnell: “We will not tolerate military or civilian personnel who celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.”
NewsBreak echoed the Post’s tally, noting Hegseth’s anti-DEI bent and his 2013 Harvard thesis praising diversity—now a far cry from his current “war on woke.”
Reactions: Alarm from Troops, Experts, and Lawmakers
The response has been swift and quite divided. Former officials and Democrats told The Post the directive risks turning the military into a partisan tool.
Civil-military experts agree enforcement might not be even-handed, with one anonymous source noting Hegseth’s selective outrage—grinning on Fox News as a guest joked about the 2022 hammer attack on Paul Pelosi’s husband before adding, “We wish him well.”
Troops are rattled. “I can see that same prism being used in the reverse,” one service member told Politico, fearing reprisals for anti-Trump views. Senate Majority Leader John Thune voiced “grave concerns” on X, supporting committee probes into the “outrageous abuse of power.”
Conservative commentator Mark Levin questioned the narrative on X, stating, “Jack Smith presented evidence of probable cause that 8 of your Republican colleagues were involved in a conspiracy to overturn the election. That’s illegal! He was following the law! What is this disconnect?”
The Post noted far-right influencers flagging posts under #RevolutionariesintheRanks, amplifying the hunt.
As investigations mount—now nearing 300 per the Post—the Pentagon’s actions could set precedents for speech in uniform, blending grief over Kirk with fears of a loyalty test. With midterms looming and Hegseth’s reforms under fire, the “witch hunt” label sticks, testing the line between discipline and division.
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