It has been a month since Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared a stern approach towards any internal commentary that lauds the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. As a result, nearly 300 investigations have been launched, as reported by The Washington Post.
This investigation focuses on online remarks from military personnel, contractors, and civilian employees criticizing the conservative figure. Notably, the actions taken so far have amounted to “a smattering of disciplinary action,” according to the report.
In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, Hegseth expressed the department’s serious stance on any celebrations regarding the incident. “We are tracking all these very closely—and will address them immediately. Completely unacceptable,” he stated in a post on X.
This message was a direct response to Pentagon representative Sean Parnell, who emphasized that military personnel and War Department civilians celebrating such a tragedy are acting in a manner unbefitting their roles. “The Department of War has zero tolerance for it,” he reiterated.
We are tracking all these very closely—we will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable. https://t.co/9weALT5Pb7
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 11, 2025
Parnell further remarked, “Those in our ranks who rejoice at an act of domestic terrorism are unfit to serve the American people,” underscoring that such behavior is a violation of military oaths and conduct standards.
Documents reviewed by The Washington Post revealed that 128 service members have been investigated, with 26 facing administrative reprimands as of September 30. Additionally, three personnel received “nonjudicial punishment,” which could potentially lead to demotion or other consequences, while three more are departing the service through voluntary or involuntary means.
The scope of the investigations also extends to 158 non-uniformed personnel, including 27 civilians associated with the War Department. Out of these, two individuals were “removed from employment,” and five former employees are still under scrutiny.
Peter Feaver, a civil-military relations scholar at Duke University, noted that Hegseth’s actions align with broader efforts to maintain politics at bay within the military context. “They have a valid point,” Feaver remarked.
During an address directed at commanders last month, Hegseth reinforced this standpoint. He asserted that the administration has undertaken significant actions to eliminate what he termed “social justice, politically correct, and toxic ideological garbage” from the department. “No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction, or gender delusions. No more debris,” he emphasized, referring to the need for clarity and purpose in military objectives.
Hegseth further lamented that past political actions had led the military to focus on misguided priorities, promising to “fix decades of decay, some of it obvious, some hidden,” presenting his effort as a necessary clean-up initiative for military leadership.
This article originally appeared in The Western Journal.
