(NBC, KYMA) – Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has told his staff to identify military members who have mocked or condoned the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to two defense officials who spoke to NBC News.
The same officials said several service members have already been relieved from the jobs because of such posts.
Hegseth and other senior Pentagon leaders posted messages on X last week calling on the public to report any posts that could be interpreted as negative about Kirk or unsympathetic about his murder.
Hegseth’s post says in part, “We are tracking all these very closely…and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable.”
Many social media users have reportedly heeded the call already by flagging such posts with the hashtag #RevolutionariesInTheRanks.
One U.S. military officer said troops know they are not allowed to condone political violence, but being fired for criticizing a person, particularly a civilian who has no ties to the military, is extremely rare.
Asked for comment on the effort to find these social media posts, the Pentagon referred back to a previous statement saying, “Beyond that we don’t have anything additional to provide from the department’s level and we would refer you to the services.”
Kirk, an influential conservative and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead Wednesday at an event on a college campus in Utah.
Authorities said Friday Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, has been arrested in connection with the killing.
He is expected to be charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice, according to a probable cause affidavit.