(The Hill) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign to oust service members celebrating or mocking the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk online has already seen at least eight people suspended or placed under investigation, with legal experts warning of a chilling effect on free speech.

The disciplinary actions — including suspensions of at least five Army officers and an Air Force senior master sergeant, a Marine officer relieved of his recruiting duties and placed under investigation and an Army Reserve major also being looked at, according to Task and Purpose — comes after Hegseth last week ordered staff to actively search for anyone working for the Defense Department who condoned or made fun of Kirk’s Sept. 10 death.

But a “witch hunt” for individuals who criticize someone that the

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