Maybe, Just Maybe, Universities Shouldn't Bend to MAGA's Whims

"CHARLY TRIBALLEAU//Getty Images It should be obvious to the very smart people who run our universities that rolling over to the inchoate bellowing of the forces of reaction comes at a terrible costin credibility, in self-respect, and, increasingly, in money as well. Back in September, when Charlie Kirk was murdered, Darren Michael, a professor at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, posted a headline quoting Kirk (correctly) as having said that gun deaths were unfortunately' worth it to keep 2nd Amendment. The post caught the attention of Marsha Blackburn, the bad hairdo representing Tennessee in the U.S. Senate, who raised a fuss about it. APSU responded according to the spirit of the times. It fired Michael. This week, chickens, roost."

"From the AP: Austin Peay State University has reinstated a professor who was fired for his social media post after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Tennessee school is also paying the teacher $500,000 in the settlement. Austin Peay spokesperson Brian Dunn said Darren Michael returned to his position as a tenured faculty member at the public university in Clarksville effective December 30. A copy of the settlement agreement obtained through a public records request includes a $500,000 payment and reimbursement of counseling, as reported earlier this week by WKRN TV."

"Let me preface this post by saying that violence is never okay and as much as I dislike someone and their cruel ideas, I would never want their life to be taken in an act of violence. Democracy should be built on ideas, not force. But I AM going to say this: If anyon"

Universities dismissed faculty members after controversial social-media posts made following the killing of Charlie Kirk, prompting public and legal pushback. Austin Peay State University fired tenured professor Darren Michael after a post quoting Kirk and later reinstated him with a $500,000 settlement plus counseling reimbursement. The ACLU negotiated the reinstatement of Clemson assistant professor Joshua Bregy after his repost drew disciplinary action. Several institutions that acted quickly under political pressure are now encountering reputational damage, financial costs, and renewed debate about academic freedom and decision-making amid partisan influence.

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