Defense Secretary warns military personnel face ‘zero tolerance’ after Marine captain and Secret Service agent dismissed for shocking comments about conservative influencer’s death
Pete Hegseth is putting military members on notice after a Marine was fired for making shock comments celebrating the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, with the Defense Secretary warning he is “tracking all these very closely” and will address any further incendiary remarks immediately.
Captain Jacoby Williamson, who has worked in multiple positions with the Marines since 2013, was relieved of his recruiting duties after posting an Instagram story showing an interview segment Kirk was doing called “DEI in the cockpit” with the caption “Another racist man popped,” adding the emoji of someone raising two beers in a celebratory toast.
The post was brought to the attention of the LibsOfTikTok account, who asked directly: “Hi @PeteHegseth, can you please fire this lunatic?” Within hours, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the firing in an official statement.
Pentagon enforces zero tolerance policy
“It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American,” Hegseth wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The Department of War has zero tolerance for it.”
The Defense Secretary, who was narrowly confirmed in January 2025 with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, quote-tweeted Parnell’s statement and warned he would be monitoring any further inflammatory comments from military personnel.
“We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately. Completely unacceptable,” Hegseth wrote, signalling a swift crackdown on any military members who violate conduct standards regarding Kirk’s death.
Lt. Col. Joshua Benson, lead spokesman for the Marines, told USA Today: “We are aware of a social media post that does not align with our core values. The Marine in question has been relieved of his recruiting duties, and the matter is currently under investigation.”
Secret Service agent placed on leave
The military dismissal came as a Secret Service agent also faced growing calls to be fired over his shocking comments about Kirk’s assassination, marking a broader pattern of government personnel facing consequences for celebrating the conservative influencer’s death.
Anthony Pough, a 36-year-old from Royersford, Pennsylvania, called the right-wing influencer’s death “karma” in a now-deleted Facebook post first reported by RealClearPolitics. The Secret Service agent wrote: “If you are Mourning [sic] this guy .. delete me. He spewed hate and racism on his show.”
Pough’s post continued with a reference to another tragedy: “Especially when we should be mourning the innocent children killed in Colorado,” referring to the shooting at Evergreen High School near Denver on the same day as Kirk’s death.
The Evergreen High School shooting saw 16-year-old Desmond Holly open fire on his classmates, injuring two students before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities later revealed Holly had been “radicalised by some extremist network” and had antisemitic views.
Agent’s controversial ‘karma’ comments
In his Facebook post, Pough added: “At the end of the day, you answer to GOD and speak things into existence. You can only circumvent karma, she doesnt [sic] leave.”
The post has since been taken down, but not before sparking uproar that led to the Secret Service placing Pough on leave pending investigation.
“The US Secret Service will not tolerate behaviour that violates our code of conduct,” an agency spokesperson stated, confirming the administrative action against Pough.
The controversy highlights the strict standards expected of federal law enforcement personnel, particularly those tasked with protecting government officials regardless of political affiliation.
Hegseth’s personal tribute to Kirk
Hegseth had celebrated Kirk in a post shortly following the Wednesday shooting at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was speaking to approximately 3,000 people when he was struck in the neck by a single shot fired from the roof of the Losee Center, located roughly 200 yards away.
“Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him,” Hegseth initially posted.
After Kirk was confirmed dead from his injuries, Hegseth added: “Well done, good and faithful servant,” referencing biblical scripture in tribute to the 31-year-old conservative commentator who co-founded Turning Point USA.
Kirk had been taking a question about mass shootings and gun violence when the fatal shot was fired, sending him toppling over in his chair. He was rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries.
Suspect arrested after family tip
Suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was taken into custody around 11pm local time on Thursday night following a manhunt that stretched over a day and a half. Authorities had offered a reward of $100,000 for information leading to his capture.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a news conference on Friday that a family member of Robinson’s “reached out to a family friend who contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with information that Robinson had confessed to them or implied that he had committed the incident.
The governor revealed investigators learned from Robinson’s family that he had become more political in recent times and had recently expressed his dislike for Kirk, describing him to his family as “full of hate.
Cox said casings from the weapon used to kill Kirk were found to have several anti-fascist messages engraved on them, including one referencing the Italian anti-fascist song “Bella Ciao.” One engraving read: “Hey Fascists, Catch!”, whilst another read “If You Read This You Are Gay LMAO”, Cox disclosed.
Death penalty on table
Robinson was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, all felonies, according to a probable cause statement filed in court. A judge ordered he be held without bail.
If convicted, Robinson will face the death penalty under federal law, authorities confirmed. He is registered to vote but is not affiliated with a political party, according to Utah state records.
Wider crackdown on inappropriate responses
Several people from different walks of life have been sacked over their comments following Kirk’s killing, demonstrating a zero-tolerance approach across government agencies and the military to those celebrating political violence.
The swift action taken by both the Pentagon and Secret Service sends a clear message about maintaining professional standards and political neutrality within government service, regardless of personal political views.
Hegseth’s immediate response reflects his promise during confirmation hearings to be a “change agent” and “disruptor” at the Pentagon. The 44-year-old Army National Guard combat veteran and former Fox News host has vowed to restore discipline and traditional values to the military.
Broader implications for civil-military relations
The incident raises questions about political polarisation within the armed forces and federal law enforcement agencies. Military personnel are expected to remain apolitical in their official capacity, serving the Constitution rather than any particular political ideology.
The Defense Department’s swift action in dismissing Captain Williamson demonstrates the seriousness with which military leadership views breaches of professional conduct, particularly regarding political violence.
As investigations continue into both the Marine captain and Secret Service agent, the message from Pentagon leadership is clear: celebrating or mocking political violence, regardless of the victim’s ideology, will not be tolerated within the ranks of America’s military and security services.
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