Public universities and school districts have agreed to pay more than $2.7 million to educators disciplined over social media posts concerning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. At least five educators have reached settlements with their employers over the past year, with a newly approved agreement accounting for the largest share.
Last week, the University of Tennessee System approved a $1.9 million settlement for former professor Tamar Shirinian. Shirinian had sued the school, alleging a violation of her constitutional rights after officials sought to discipline her for social media posts criticizing Kirk following his assassination on September 10, 2025. In one post, Shirinian stated, "The world is better off without him in it," and added remarks about his children and wife. She was placed on administrative leave and later fired on February 11, 2026, though the settlement does not include reinstatement. The University of Tennessee System has not provided further comment beyond a board meeting on June 29.
Suzanne Swierc, formerly the director of health promotion and advocacy at Ball State University, received a $225,000 settlement after being dismissed for a private Facebook post about Kirk. Swierc had written that while his death was a tragedy for his family, it was also "a reflection of the violence, fear, and hatred he sowed." She also stated that she could not be friends with those who believed Kirk was a wonderful person.
Darren Michael, an associate professor at Austin Peay State University, was reinstated to his tenured position and received a $500,000 settlement after being fired for sharing a social media post about Kirk's killing. The post referenced Kirk's 2023 remarks that gun-related deaths were "unfortunately" worth it to protect the Second Amendment. Michael's counsel stated he has returned to teaching and is also the Chair of the APSU Faculty Senate, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect faculty tenure and free speech.
Clemson University reinstated Joshua Bregy, a climate scientist, as part of a settlement. Bregy had been dismissed for a post critical of Kirk that also condemned violence, stating, "I’ll never advocate for violence in any form, but it sounds to me like karma is sometimes swift and ironic." The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina represented Bregy.
In Iowa, high school teacher Melisa Crook settled with the Creston Community School District for $145,000 and her full benefits. Crook had commented on a Facebook post about Kirk's assassination, calling him "a terrible human being" but stating she did not wish death on anyone and that his absence was a blessing.
Candice Hale, a former professor at the University of Alabama, has reportedly reached an unspecified settlement for comments made after Kirk's assassination. Hale reportedly posted, "I don’t give a damn about evil racist, fascist, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, mediocre, white men who claim to be Christian and then do everything Christ would not do on Earth."