More faculty members on college campuses who have celebrated the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk should face consequences, according to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
McMahon’s remarks come amid reports of defaced tributes to Kirk on campuses and higher education institutions taking action against employees for controversial statements related to his death.
“I’ve seen some of those college presidents who have fired or suspended teachers or other faculty members that have spoken out really incredibly poorly and celebrated Charlie’s death — I would like to see more of that, quite frankly,” McMahon told Fox News Digital Thursday in Washington at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education.
For instance, Fox News Digital first reported that an administrator at George Washington University is no longer employed by the school after posting “no thoughts, no prayers” on social media following Kirk’s death.
Similarly, students at the University of North Carolina Wilmington painted over a rock Tuesday that Kirk supporters had decorated to honor his memory. The rock on campus is typically painted to promote various movements or causes, Reagan Faulkner, president of UNCW’s chapter of College Republicans, told Fox News Digital.
“That is really, in and of itself, a crime of personal integrity, when those kinds of things happen,” McMahon said regarding the ruined tributes.
Kirk, 31, was killed after suffering a gunshot wound to the neck during his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The shooting suspect, Tyler Robinson, was charged Monday with aggravated murder and other offenses.
The assassination comes a year after two previous attempts on President Trump’s life.
McMahon added that Kirk’s death could inspire a broader national appreciation for civil discourse, even among those with differing viewpoints.
“Charlie’s legacy is going to be that more and more people will understand how important civil dialogue is, and freedom of speech on campuses around the country,” McMahon said. “Charlie was a very forthright speaker about his faith, his beliefs, his principles. He didn’t shy away from challenging people with different beliefs, but not in a way to affront them — rather, to ask them to share why they believe what they believe, and he would share why he believed what he believed.”
“And I think that’s going to be a great part of his legacy that will live on,” McMahon continued. “We’ve opened many more doors and opportunities for civil discourse, even in the wake of the incredibly unfortunate and tragic events surrounding his assassination.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pledged to take action against those who cheered Kirk’s death on social media and has criticized the “radical left” for contributing to recent political violence.
“The radical left has done tremendous damage to the country,” Trump told reporters Tuesday. “But we’re fixing it.”
