WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to reports that U.S. service members have been targeted, harassed, and disciplined for personal online posts.
“I am deeply concerned by reports that service members and DoD civilians are being targeted and harassed online for expressing personal or political views. Alarmingly, some of this harassment comes from within DoD itself, including from other service members and DoD civilians. This harassment has included instances of doxxing, or the public sharing of personally identifiable information.
“Even more troubling, recent reports suggest DoD is punishing individuals for views expressed in a personal capacity. Disciplinary or administrative actions based solely on constitutionally protected speech are unacceptable.
“Since June, this committee has made bipartisan requests for information and action from DoD regarding these incidents, including who is under investigation or subject to disciplinary action and why. Despite the growing seriousness of the issue, DoD has refused to provide this Committee with meaningful responses. Meanwhile, those within DoD have reportedly spoken to the press about a sweeping and ongoing inquiry into nearly 300 DoD employees for online comments that appeared after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This is unacceptable.
“Secretary Hegseth’s post on his official social media account promising disciplinary action against a service member for expressing their personal views on a personal social media account reinforces this dangerous trend. The Secretary of Defense also said he will take similar action against other service members or DoD civilians who express views in their personal social media accounts when they contradict the Secretary’s personal political views. This threatens to have a chilling effect on free speech and sends a dangerous message: lawful dissent will be punished, and harassment will be tolerated—even encouraged.
“The First Amendment protects speech, even when it is speech we may disagree with. While service members’ speech is rightly limited in official contexts, they retain the right to express personal views within the bounds of military regulations. DoD civilians have even broader protections. Free speech must be protected, not punished.
“I call on DoD to immediately provide meaningful responses to our bipartisan requests for information and end any retaliation against personnel for protected speech.”
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