Clemson University has dismissed three faculty members following an investigation into social media comments they made regarding the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The university confirmed the final two dismissals on Tuesday, following an initial firing on Monday, citing a commitment to institutional policies and legal compliance.
Key Takeaways
- Clemson University has terminated the employment of three faculty members.
- The dismissals are directly related to social media posts made after the death of Charlie Kirk.
- The university's action followed significant pressure from the public and South Carolina politicians.
- South Carolina's Attorney General affirmed the university's legal authority to dismiss the employees for their remarks.
University Confirms Dismissals
Clemson University announced on Tuesday the termination of two additional faculty members, bringing the total number of dismissals to three. A separate faculty member was fired on Monday for similar reasons. The actions were taken after an internal investigation into comments posted online concerning the death of Charlie Kirk.
In a formal statement, the university addressed the situation. "We fully acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the timing of recent personnel decisions," the statement read. "Every deliberation reflects the University's unwavering commitment to conduct all actions in full compliance with institutional policies, state and federal laws, and the foundational process."
The controversy began after screenshots of the alleged comments from the faculty members were widely circulated on social media platforms, sparking public outcry.
Timeline of Events
- September 10: Charlie Kirk is assassinated in Orem, Utah.
- September 12: Clemson University issues its first statement after controversial posts surface online.
- September 16 (Monday): The first faculty member is fired. The SC Attorney General sends a letter to the university president.
- September 17 (Tuesday): Two more faculty members are dismissed.
Political and Public Pressure
The university's leadership faced mounting pressure from both the public and prominent South Carolina Republican politicians to take disciplinary action. The online circulation of the faculty's alleged remarks intensified calls for their removal.
On Monday, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson sent a letter to Clemson President James Clements. In the letter, Wilson addressed potential legal concerns, stating that while the university could face a civil lawsuit, it would not be in danger of criminal prosecution for firing the employees based on their comments.
"While the school could be subject to a civil suit over the dismissals, they wouldn't be in any danger of criminal prosecution for getting rid of the employees based on their remarks," Wilson's letter clarified, addressing legal advice previously given to the university.
Clemson's initial statement on September 12 indicated that it would take action "for speech that constitutes a genuine threat which is not protected by the Constitution."
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10. The incident occurred while he was hosting an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. An assassin fired a single shot that struck Kirk in front of a crowd of approximately 3,000 people.
Kirk was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. In the days following his death, numerous social media posts that appeared to celebrate or mock the event were flagged by conservative commentators. This has led to a series of employment terminations and dismissals at various institutions across the country.
National Trend: The firings at Clemson are part of a wider national trend where individuals have faced professional consequences for online comments made about Kirk's death.
A memorial service for Charlie Kirk is scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 21, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Related Security Incident at Local High School
In a separate but contextually related event, South Rowan High School in China Grove, North Carolina, was placed under a "secure hold" on Wednesday morning. The measure was initiated after reports of a gun being brought onto the campus.
Rowan-Salisbury Schools officials confirmed that law enforcement was managing the situation. They specified that a secure hold is different from a lockdown, as instruction continues inside the classrooms while no one is permitted to enter or leave the building. All students and staff were reported to be safe inside.
A family member of a student at the school told reporters the incident occurred on the same day a prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk was planned, suggesting a possible connection. However, school district officials have not confirmed any link between the security measure and the vigil, nor have they confirmed if a weapon was found on campus.