A U.S. Secret Service employee has been placed on administrative leave after posting social media comments mocking the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling it “karma” for his rhetoric.
What the Secret Service employee said
The employee, identified as Anthony Pough, reportedly posted on Facebook shortly after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. In his post, Pough wrote:
- Kirk “spewed hate and racism.”
- “You can only circumvent karma, she doesn’t leave.”
- “If you are mourning this guy… delete me.”
He also shared an old video clip of Charlie Kirk suggesting that Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), and others were “affirmative action picks” who “weren’t smart enough to get in on their own.”
The post quickly went viral, drawing backlash from conservatives and prompting calls for his firing.
Political backlash and calls for termination
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) strongly condemned Pough’s remarks, accusing him of “celebrating and attempting to justify a political assassination.” In a letter to Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran, Blackburn demanded his termination, calling the behavior “inexcusable.”
Other conservative leaders echoed her concerns, arguing that such statements undermine public trust in the agency tasked with protecting national leaders and major public figures.
Secret Service response
The Secret Service confirmed Pough has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. In a statement, the agency said:
“Behavior which violates our code of conduct is not tolerated.”
This is not the first time Pough’s social media activity has drawn attention. Past posts show him criticizing the Trump administration and mocking political figures, including then-President Trump’s feud with Elon Musk when Musk briefly served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Charlie Kirk’s assassination
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University as part of his American Comeback Tour. He later died at a hospital. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Why this matters
The controversy underscores the challenges federal agencies face in an era where personal social media activity can quickly spiral into political flashpoints. The Secret Service, which relies on bipartisan trust to carry out its protective duties, now faces questions about internal accountability and the boundaries between private expression and professional responsibility.
TL;DR
- Secret Service employee Anthony Pough posted that Charlie Kirk’s killing was “karma.”
- Senator Marsha Blackburn and other Republicans demanded his firing.
- The Secret Service placed him on leave pending an internal investigation.
- Kirk was assassinated during a Utah campus event; President Trump will award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
