A debate has emerged in Washington over a new Pentagon directive prohibiting members of the Armed Forces from celebrating or condoning murder on social media after the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The policy, announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, has drawn opposition from Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), who argued that such restrictions amount to the suppression of political beliefs.

On Saturday, Hegseth issued a zero-tolerance order barring servicemembers from publicly endorsing or applauding acts of murder.

We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable. https://t.co/9weALT5Pb7

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 11, 2025

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The following day, the civilian leaders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force — Dan Driscoll, John Phelan, and Troy Meink — released coordinated statements confirming that military employees and servicemembers would be monitored for compliance.

Their guidance indicated that mocking or celebrating Kirk’s killing online could result in disciplinary measures.

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Military officials said the directive builds on existing standards under Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which prohibits conduct that undermines “good order and discipline” or brings discredit on the Armed Forces.

Legal experts note that such actions, if tolerated, could corrode unit cohesion and create divisions within the ranks.

Crow, a former Army officer now serving in Congress, criticized the order.

Without naming Kirk, he suggested that restricting servicemembers from expressing political opinions online is “un-American.”

.@PeteHegseth hunting down and prosecuting service members for their individual political beliefs is dangerous and un-American.

We must condemn political violence AND allow peaceful speech that doesn’t impact the chain of command. https://t.co/2a7R7SDQQw

— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) September 14, 2025

Ahem. pic.twitter.com/2t8TaZzgbl

— Amy Curtis (@RantyAmyCurtis) September 15, 2025

His comments placed him at odds with Pentagon leadership, who framed the policy as an effort to protect both order and the First Amendment by clearly defining prohibited behavior.

Officials stressed that the new policy does not significantly expand what is already restricted, but it does clarify rules for social media.

The Pentagon said troops are barred from participating in activities that include advocating terrorism, endorsing government overthrow, or engaging in online fundraising or organizing for extremist groups.

Service members can also be disciplined for “liking” or reposting extremist views if commanders determine the servicemember actively participated in such activity.

The federal definition of terrorism, cited in the guidance, includes acts “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, kidnapping, or hostage-taking.”

Pentagon officials said that openly celebrating Kirk’s assassination falls within this definition, as it condones political violence.

Hegseth’s move drew comparisons to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s 2021 extremism review, which focused heavily on social media and political activity within the military.

That review was criticized by some lawmakers who claimed it disproportionately targeted conservative viewpoints.

In contrast, Pentagon officials said the current directive is not designed to address specific political or demographic groups, but to set clear standards for online conduct in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.

The policy’s release follows growing concern about political extremism within the Armed Forces, particularly after September 10, when Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at an event in Utah.

Since then, authorities have reported instances of servicemembers and civilian defense employees using social media to applaud the killing, prompting swift action from the Department of Defense.

While Hegseth and military leaders stress that the order is necessary to safeguard discipline and prevent the normalization of violence, Crow and a handful of lawmakers have raised concerns that it restricts free expression.

The divide reflects broader national debates about extremism, political violence, and the boundaries of speech in the digital age.

The Pentagon has stated that enforcement will be handled on a case-by-case basis and that commanders must determine both the nature of the conduct and the level of participation before taking disciplinary action.

The investigation into online activity within the ranks continues as the Defense Department works to implement the new directive.

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