Punishment of teachers for Charlie Kirk social media posts prompts free speech debate

Conservatives have pushed for swift consequences against anyone who makes light of Charlie Kirk's killing — and educators have come under particular scrutiny.

In the week since Charlie Kirk was assassinated, MAGA influencers and GOP lawmakers have pushed for swift consequences against anyone who makes light of his killing — and professors, teachers and school staff members have come under particular scrutiny.

At Clemson University, that scrutiny fell on three staff members who are alleged to have posted disparaging comments about Kirk on social media. One post called on people to “be a Tyler Robinson,” who is charged with murdering Kirk; another included a reshared statement that “karma is sometimes swift and ironic.” Clemson College Republicans circulated the screenshots, and state lawmakers soon called for the staffers’ ousters, backed by South Carolina’s attorney general and even President Donald Trump.

Within days, all three staff members had been fired. None responded to requests for comment.

“We’re not saying jail them,” state Rep. Jordan Pace, chair of the South Carolina House Freedom Caucus and one of several state lawmakers who demanded their firings, told NBC News. “We’re just saying they shouldn’t teach children. They shouldn’t teach young people on the taxpayer dime.”

In a statement acknowledging the firings, Clemson said it “remains resolute in its commitment to cultivating an environment that is safe, respectful and conducive to academic excellence.” It didn’t respond to additional questions.