Florida Pledges To Hold Teachers ‘Accountable’ Who Celebrate Charlie Kirk’s Death
Florida officials vowed Thursday to hold educators accountable if they publicly celebrate or mock the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas issued a memo to school superintendents making it clear that such conduct will not be tolerated.
“It has been brought to my attention that some Florida educators have posted despicable comments on social media regarding the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Kamoutsas wrote. “These few are not a reflection of the great, high-quality teachers who make up the vast majority of Florida’s educators. Nevertheless, I will be conducting an investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior.”
The commissioner emphasized that while teachers retain First Amendment rights, their public comments must meet the professional codes of conduct required by their position. “An educator’s personal views that are made public may undermine the trust of the students and families that they serve,” the memo continued.
Teachers are held to a higher standard as public servants and must ensure their conduct does not undermine the trust of the students and families they serve. We will hold teachers who choose to make disgusting comments about the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk accountable.… pic.twitter.com/KzXCCGkvZm
— Anastasios Kamoutsas (@StasiKamoutsas) September 11, 2025
The directive follows reports that several left-wing activists and educators mocked Kirk’s murder online. On Wednesday, a dean of students at Middle Tennessee State University was fired after posting that she had “zero sympathy” for Kirk.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis applauded Kamoutsas’ firm response, saying that the state will not allow those entrusted with children’s education to spread hate.
“Celebrating the assassination of a 31-year-old father of two young kids is disturbing; that teachers would be among those who do so is completely unacceptable,” DeSantis said. “Glad [Kamoutsas] is bringing accountability. It is sad that we’ve seen a number of teachers across America celebrate Charlie Kirk’s murder.”
Other institutions across the country have taken similar action. The University of Mississippi confirmed Thursday that a staff member was terminated after reposting insensitive comments about Kirk’s death.
“Yesterday, a University of Mississippi staff member re-shared hurtful, insensitive comments on social media regarding the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. “These comments run completely counter to our institutional values of civility, fairness, and respecting the dignity of each person. We condemn these actions, and this staff member is no longer employed by the university.”
Florida’s move sends a strong signal that the state will not turn a blind eye to educators who mock or celebrate political violence.