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Following Secretary Pete Hegseth's order to punish those celebrating conservative influencer Charlie Kirk's death, several Defense Department personnel face temporary suspension. Dozens of online posts are under review across the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. While the military allows political expression on personal accounts, social media policies prohibit bullying, harassment, and extremist promotion. Investigations are underway, with some personnel suspended with pay pending the outcome. The reviews focus on existing social media protocols, not new directives, and could involve legal challenges due to First Amendment rights.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.