Employers and officials are cracking down on comments considered ‘inappropriate’ after far-right activist was killed
Employers and officials are cracking down on comments considered ‘inappropriate’ after far-right activist was killed
In the aftermath of far-right activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, dozens across the United States have been fired, suspended or disciplined over social media posts about Kirk and his death, as employers and public officials crack down on remarks they deem “inappropriate”.
After Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on 10 September while speaking at Utah Valley University, members of the Trump administration called on the public to expose anyone appearing to be “celebrating” his killing.
“Call them out, and hell, call their employer,” JD Vance said. “We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility.”
Over the past week, conservative activists and politicians have been circulating and publicizing social media posts about Kirk and his death that they deem inappropriate and that they claim celebrates or mocks Kirk’s death. Similarly, they have waged pressure campaigns urging employers to take action against the individuals.
Civil liberties groups and free speech advocates have warned that the wave of firings and expulsions risks chilling free expression and could infringe on first amendment protections.
Here are some of the people who have reportedly been affected by the crackdown so far:Government workers
The US Secret Service placed an employee on leave last week after reportedly writing in a Facebook post that that Kirk “spewed hate and racism on his show”, adding: “At the end of the day, you answer to GOD, and speak things into existence. You can only circumvent karma, she doesn’t leave,” according to CBS News.
A spokesperson for the agency confirmed to the Guardian: “This employee was immediately put on administrative leave, and an investigation has begun.”
The Secret Service “will not tolerate behavior that violates our code of conduct”, the spokesperson added.
Fox News also reported that an employee at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) was placed on administrative leave over an Instagram post describing Kirk as “the literal racist homophobe misogynist”.
A Fema spokesperson told the Guardian that the “employee’s words are revolting and unconscionable” and that the employee “was immediately placed on administrative leave”.
“We expect all public servants to uphold the highest standard of professionalism, respect and integrity,” they added.
The US Coast Guard also said on last week that it was “aware of inappropriate personal social media activity” made by one of their employees “regarding recent political violence” and that they were “actively investigating this activity and will take appropriate action to hold the individual accountable”.Media and entertainment
On Wednesday evening, news broke that Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show had been suspended “indefinitely” after comments he made about the shooting of Kirk.
In a recent broadcast, Kimmel had suggested that “many in Maga land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk”, which prompted complaints from the Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr.
Carr said: “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Hours later, ABC, owned by Disney, announced that Kimmel’s show would be “pre-empted indefinitely” after after affiliate operator Nexstar called Kimmel’s remarks “offensive and insensitive”.
This came as last week MSNBC fired senior political analyst Matthew Dowd after he suggested on air that Kirk’s own rhetoric may have contributed to the shooting that killed him. Dowd’s remarks were condemned by MSNBC as “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable”.
In a subsequent Substack article on Friday, Dowd confirmed that MSNBC had fired him and said: “The Right Wing media mob ginned up, went after me on a plethora of platforms, and MSNBC reacted to that mob.
