Department of Defense higher-ups are considering a recruitment campaign to explicitly target fans of assassinated right-wing youth activist Charlie Kirk.
According to NBC News, "The idea would be to frame the recruiting campaign as a national call to service, the officials said. Possible slogans that Pentagon leaders have discussed include 'Charlie has awakened a generation of warriors,' according to the officials."
Kirk was shot and killed while engaging with students at a political event at Utah Valley University in Orem last Wednesday. His death has sent shockwaves through the right-wing media ecosystem, with many mourning his loss and some seeking to blame it on Democrats.
These proposals also come amid reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is working to purge the military of individuals who posted on social media about Kirk's death.
This recruitment drive would potentially focus on partnering with chapters of Kirk's student political organization, Turning Point USA, running enlistment centers out of these student groups, according to the report: "That could include inviting recruiters to be present at events or advertising for the military at the chapters, one of them explained."
Turning Point USA, which has faced numerous controversies in recent years for promoting racism and Christian nationalism, formed a key part of President Donald Trump's voter canvassing operation in the 2024 presidential election, as the campaign had a negligible such operation in-house.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk's America PAC also carried out much of this work.
The plan is still up in the air, according to the report.
"The idea is facing resistance from some Pentagon leaders who have privately warned those working on the effort that such a campaign could be perceived as the military trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death ... two officials said. Kirk did not serve in the armed forces."