Clemson University has suspended an employee following vile social media posts mocking the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The university is facing massive pressure from conservatives based on its defense of multiple employees that cheered for the assassination.
The South Carolina Daily Gazette reports that Clemson University finally suspended an employee on Saturday based on social media posts mocking the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension comes amidst mounting pressure from South Carolina’s GOP leaders, who called for an emergency meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees to address the matter.
The controversy began two days prior when the Clemson College Republicans flagged social media posts from three university employees, including two assistant professors, reacting to Kirk’s assassination on Wednesday. Currently, it remains unclear which specific employee has been suspended.
In a statement released over the weekend, Clemson University emphasized the seriousness with which it approaches violations of its standards and values. “This action reflects the seriousness with which Clemson approaches violations of its standards and values,” reads the statement posted on Saturday. “We understand the frustration, and we share the deep concern over the nature of these posts.”
The university initially refused to take action on employees glorifying political assassinations:
The university’s response followed a wave of outcry from state politicians, Clemson students, alumni, and Republican members of South Carolina’s congressional delegation. GOP leaders from both chambers of the Statehouse penned a letter to Clemson’s Board of Trustees, urging them to convene and “take immediate and appropriate action.” The letter, signed by the Senate President, House Speaker, and chief budget writers of each chamber, expressed shock and sadness over Kirk’s murder, describing it as a “dark stain on our nation’s history.”
House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, one of the four signatories, stressed that the university’s initial statement on Friday afternoon was insufficient. “The professors should be given an opportunity to explain their position, and then they should make a decision based on what’s the right path forward for Clemson,” Bannister told the SC Daily Gazette.
Read more at the South Carolina Daily Gazette here.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.
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