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Pentagon to Crack Down on Extremism in Its Ranks

HeadlineDec 21, 2021

The Pentagon has announced new rules aimed at slowing the spread of extremism in the military’s ranks. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said Monday that, among other rule changes, soldiers may now be disciplined for “liking” white nationalist and other extremist content on social media.

John Kirby: “The vast majority of men and women in our armed forces, as of course you know, serve honorably. While extremist activity in the force is rare, any instance can have an outsized effect.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center welcomed the changes, saying in a statement, “The commitments made today are especially important considering the outsized role people with military experience played in the deadly violence surrounding the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. More than 80 of the 700 individuals charged by the Justice Department in connection with the Capitol breach have ties to the U.S. military.”

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