Federal employees are facing warnings from agency leaders to refrain from criticizing or mocking Charlie Kirk, the conservative influencer who was assassinated this week.
On Friday, Veterans Affairs Department Secretary Doug Collins warned employees against “justifying, celebrating or mocking” Kirk’s death.
Kirk, a right-wing organizer and commentator, was shot and killed when speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Ryan Nerney, Managing Partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, a law firm that represents federal employees, said Supreme Court precedent has established that public employees face certain “protected speech” restrictions when speaking in their official capacities, engaged in conduct unbecoming federal workers or when they could incite violence.
“Generally speaking, federal employees can be disciplined for personal comments if they are disruptive to the workplace, violate ethics rules, violate agency policies or are deemed ‘conduct unbecoming’ a federal employee, among other things,” Nerney said.
Agency leaders have warned federal employees not to make fun of or criticize Charlie Kirk, the conservative influencer who was killed this week.
Employees have already received disciplinary action in certain instances. The Homeland Security Department has already taken action against at least three employees. According to Fox News, a Federal Emergency Management Agency employee was placed on administrative leave after he claimed on Instagram that President Trump had ordered flags at half staff “for the literal racist homophobe misogynist.”. “.”.
“This employee’s words are revolting and unconscionable,” a FEMA spokesperson said. “He was put on administrative leave right away. It is disgusting, unacceptable, and sickening to celebrate the passing of a fellow American. “”.
The U. A. The Coast Guard stated that one of its staff members wrote a message about Kirk on their personal social media on Thursday that was “contrary to our core values” and promised to “take appropriate action and hold the individual accountable.”. According to The New York Post, the Secret Service also put a worker on leave for stating that anyone who was grieving for Kirk should “delete” them since Kirk “spewed hate and racism.”.
Employees were cautioned by Veterans Affairs Department Secretary Doug Collins on Friday not to “justify, celebrate, or mock” Kirk’s passing. He warned that making such remarks would incite more violence and that the offender “will be dealt with accordingly.”. “.”.
The Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, using the administration’s preferred name for the department, said that it was “unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.” This came after the Defense Department issued similar warnings. Such behavior will not be tolerated at all by the department. The Pentagon was “tracking all these very closely,” according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and any problems would be resolved right away.
Speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Kirk, a right-wing organizer and commentator, was shot and killed. Tyler Robinson was arrested for the assassination, according to a Friday announcement from state and federal authorities.
According to Supreme Court precedent, public employees are subject to certain “protected speech” restrictions when speaking in their official capacities, engaging in conduct unfit for federal employees, or when they could incite violence, according to Ryan Nerney, Managing Partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, a law firm that represents federal employees.
“Generally speaking, if an employee’s personal remarks are disruptive to the workplace, violate ethics rules, violate agency policies, or are deemed ‘conduct unbecoming’ of a federal employee, among other things, they can be disciplined for them,” Nerney said. Because every case is considered separately, it is dependent on the particular language used by the employee as well as other factors to determine whether an agency has overreached itself in restricting someone’s First Amendment rights. “.”.
An official from FEMA implied that the disciplined employee had behaved in an unprofessional manner.
“People entrusted to work at FEMA will not be allowed to engage in such behavior, as it does not reflect the values of public service,” the spokesperson stated. “We expect the utmost professionalism, integrity, and respect from all public servants. “.”.
