Secret Service Agent Anthony Pough Placed on Leave After Celebrating Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Lead A U.S. Secret Service special agent, Anthony Pough, was placed on administrative leave Friday after posting on social media that he celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

Nut Graf The agency launched an internal investigation after Pough’s Facebook post condemned Kirk as a “spewer of hate and racism” and invoked “karma” for his killing. The swift disciplinary action underscores the Service’s zero-tolerance policy for conduct undermining its mission and public trust.

Main Part Subhead: Immediate Leave and Investigation The Secret Service confirmed that Pough was placed on leave and his security clearance revoked pending review. A spokesperson stated the agency “will not tolerate behavior that violates our code of conduct” and emphasized that politically motivated commentary by agents compromises protective duties.

Subhead: Content of the Controversial Post In his post, Pough urged mourners to “delete” Kirk, who was fatally shot Wednesday during a Turning Point USA event, writing that Kirk “spewed hate and racism on his show” and contrasting that with sympathy for recent school-shooting victims in Colorado.

Subhead: Political and Public Repercussions Senator Marsha Blackburn and other GOP leaders demanded Pough’s termination, calling his remarks “inexcusable” and “celebrating a political assassination.” The episode has fueled broader debate over political bias and conduct standards within federal law-enforcement agencies.

Subhead: Agency Response Secret Service Director Sean Curran addressed staff in a memo stressing that agents must “operate every day without bias towards political affiliation” and warning that any distractions from the oath to protect public figures would not be tolerated.