A Marine was fired for calling Charlie Kirk a “racist man” on social media, which was “popped” after the Pentagon said it was tracking and would have “zero tolerance” for posts glorifying the conservative icon’s death.
“It is unacceptable for military personnel and civilians at the Department of War to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American,” chief spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X. “The Department of War has zero tolerance for it.”
“We are closely monitoring all of these and will respond immediately,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on X. “Completely unacceptable.”
Right-wing influencers call for military firings over Kirk posts
Following Kirk’s death, right-wing influencers with clout in the Trump administration issued social media calls to action, urging their followers to blast any posts from servicemembers or Department of War employees criticizing or celebrating his death.
A screenshot circulated on conservative social media appeared to show a post from a US Marine Corps recruiter that read, “Another racist man popped,” and included an image of Kirk.
“Hi @PeteHegseth, can you please fire this lunatic?” Chaya Raichik, a right-wing influencer, runs the TikTok account Libs.
The United States Marine Corps confirmed that one of its members had been fired.
“We are aware of a social media post that does not align with our core values,” Lt. Col. Joshua Benson, the Marine Corps’ lead spokesman, stated. “The Marine in question has been relieved of his recruiting duties, and the matter is currently under investigation.”
The Marine who was fired did not respond to a request for comment.
Another screenshot shared by right-wing accounts appeared to show a Facebook post from a military school teacher calling Kirk a “garbage human.”
Maj. Adam D’Ortona, a right-wing influencer who works in Hegseth’s office and goes by the name “infantrydort” on social media, reposted the screenshot, writing, “If you speak like this woman, you should lose your job.”
“Openly celebrating the death of anyone (let alone a fellow American) is not acceptable free speech. D’Ortona wrote, “It is corrosion from within.”
According to Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson, D’Ortona is not a spokesperson or advisor for the Department of War.
Without mentioning Kirk by name, Army, Navy, and Air Force secretaries Dan Driscoll, John Phelan, and Troy Meink issued similar-worded statements on social media, implying that posts from service members and employees celebrating or mocking the assassination will be monitored and may result in retaliation.
The Air Force stated that it was “aware of inappropriate comments concerning recent political violence.”
“As commanders verify inappropriate actions, they are taking the necessary administrative and disciplinary actions to hold service members accountable,” according to a spokesperson.
The Navy and Army claimed they had nothing to offer.
The State Department also stated on September 11 that foreign nationals who glorify Kirk’s assassination are “not welcome” in the country. The Trump administration “does not believe that the United States should grant visas to persons whose presence in our country does not align with U.S. national security interests,” the department told USA TODAY.
At a Pentagon ceremony marking the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Hegseth praised Kirk as a “Christ-follower and American patriot,” comparing him to the police officers and firefighters who responded on 9/11.
“Well done, good and loyal servant. Full heart and clear eyes. “He will never be forgotten, like those who died on 9/11,” he stated.
