Pentagon Anti-Extremism Plan Will Chill Speech: Military Attorney

Pentagon Anti-Extremism Plan Will Chill Speech: Military Attorney
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 3, 2021. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
|Updated:

The Pentagon’s new plan to counter extremism within its ranks includes prohibitions on liking and sharing social media content that “endorses extremist activities,” which critics worry will have a chilling effect on free speech.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced its counter-extremism policies on Dec. 20, unveiling guidelines that are the result of a Counter Extremist Activity Working Group established in April by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.