The political assassination of Charlie Kirk inspired a wave of sympathy for his family, a surge of support for his cause of free speech, and — in a shock to some — a spike in public posts and comments celebrating his murder.
Several commentators have noted that a disproportionate number of these ugly comments praising Kirk’s death have come from educators: teachers, administrators, and union officials.
In New Hampshire, Timberlane Regional High School teacher Ed Tinney took to Facebook to declare, “I’m glad he’s dead.”
Another Granite State teacher in Manchester is being investigated over claims he insulted Kirk to his students in class, according to Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur.
Nationally, classroom teachers from Oregon to Massachusetts have been suspended or resigned amid backlash over their very ugly, and very public, comments about Kirk and his murder.
College educators have gotten into the act, too. “In at least two instances, universities fired staff members entirely for posts deemed inappropriate,” NBC News reported.
Middle Tennessee State University Assistant Dean Laura Sosh-Lightsy posted, “Looks like ol’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy.” She has since been fired.
And Michael Rex is now a former Cumberland University professor after posting, “On Charlie Kirk: Thoughts & Prayers. Oh, AND Kharma (sic) is a beautiful b&*ch.”
The president of the nation’s largest teachers union, Randi Weingarten of the National Education Association, pulled down a tweet she posted falsely claiming Kirk was the victim of “right-wing” violence.
“You deleted your post because you were pushing the false flag conspiracy theory that the shooter is a ‘right winger,'” education reform advocate Corey DeAngelis posted in response. “Resign in shame, Randi Weingarten.”
Watching this litany of educators celebrating the assassination of a speaker over his ideas — on an American college campus — has left some observers concerned.
In New Hampshire, state Rep. Sayra DeVito (R-Danville) is calling for Tinney to be fired from his public school position.
“The statements made by Timberlane Regional School English teacher Ed Tinney on social media — openly celebrating the brutal murder of an American husband and father — are vile, reprehensible, and wholly inconsistent with the standards expected of an educator,” DeVito said in a statement.
“Teachers occupy a unique position of trust, with profound influence over the minds and character of their students. An individual who publicly glorifies violence and exhibits such blatant disregard for basic human decency has no business in a classroom.”
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) believes it reflects current conditions inside America’s education industry.
“These are not isolated missteps. They reflect a broader, deeply troubling trend of radical ideology festering unchecked in our education system,” Stefanik wrote in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.), “Those who abuse their positions to promote hate and division must be immediately investigated and held accountable.”
Some public figures have come to the teachers’ defense, arguing they should not be punished for expressing their opinions in public. But critics point to the rising political violence and say educators must be held responsible for the climate they are creating in classrooms and on campuses.
“There are some professions where publicly celebrating a political assassination is disqualifying because it indicates you are unfit for the job,” said Nicole Neily, head of Parents Defending Education. “Teaching is one of those jobs, and immediate termination is not only appropriate but necessary.”
