Texas Teachers Face Scrutiny Over Social Media Posts on Charlie Kirk
Free Speech or Professional Misconduct?
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, has sent shockwaves through political and cultural institutions alike. In Texas, however, the fallout has taken on a particularly sharp edge. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced that it is reviewing at least 180 complaints against public school teachers and staff accused of posting negative or celebratory comments about Kirk’s death.
For some, the TEA’s move represents a long-overdue step toward accountability for educators entrusted with shaping the next generation. For others, it is a dangerous government overreach—a “witch hunt,” as the Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) put it.
The question looming over this controversy is one that cuts to the heart of both ethics and liberty: where does the professional responsibility of teachers end, and where does their personal right to free speech begin?
The Spark: Comments in the Wake of Assassination
Charlie Kirk, only 31 at the time of his death, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Authorities identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the alleged shooter. Kirk, a father of two, left behind a wife and two young children. His death not only stunned his supporters but also prompted an outpouring of vitriol online from detractors who despise him.
Among those who took to social media were Texas educators. Posts ranged from mocking Kirk’s death to characterizing him in deeply offensive terms. In one high-profile case, Klein ISD in the Houston area terminated a football coach after he called Kirk a “horrible f—–g human being” on Facebook. Other districts, including Jourdanton ISD and Wylie ISD, have also confirmed disciplinary actions against staff. Wylie ISD reported that two teachers resigned after facing scrutiny over their posts (Isaac Yu, Houston Chronicle, Sept. 15, 2025).
The backlash was swift. State Rep. Hillary Hickland, R-Belton, publicly called for the resignation of a Pflugerville ISD teacher who had labeled Kirk a “Nazi.” The district clarified the teacher had already retired in 2024, but the episode underscored how deeply the controversy has penetrated Texas politics.
Commissioner Morath Draws a Line
On September 12, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath issued a letter to Texas superintendents, warning that educators who engaged in “vile content” related to Kirk’s assassination could face investigation and discipline under the state’s Educators’ Code of Ethics.
“While the exercise of free speech is a fundamental right we are all blessed to share, it does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives,” Morath wrote. He emphasized the human cost of Kirk’s death: “Mr. Kirk was a father and a husband, and tragically, his children no longer have their father, and his wife no longer has her spouse” (Yu, Houston Chronicle).
Morath also signaled that consequences could be severe. He stated he would recommend not only termination for violators but also suspension of their teaching certifications, effectively barring them from future employment in Texas public schools.
Union Backlash: A “Witch Hunt”
Texas AFT quickly condemned Morath’s response, framing it as a politically motivated purge of dissenting voices. Zeph Capo, the union’s president, accused the state of weaponizing tragedy to silence educators.
“In short order, the LibsofTikTok agenda has become the policy of the State of Texas,” Capo said. “Here’s the thing about authoritarian regimes: They’ll take as much as the rest of us are willing to give them. It’s no surprise that, here in Texas, the purge of civil servants starts with teachers” (Aguirre, MySA).
Capo warned that the state’s posture could chill free expression among educators who already feel under siege in a political climate where schools are ground zero in culture wars. “If you value your freedom, now is the time to speak up and defend the rights of all Texans to exercise their constitutional right to have an opinion on matters of civil discourse,” he said.
The union represents 66,000 K-12 and community college educators, support staff, and retirees across Texas. Their denunciation of the TEA was as forceful as it was predictable, highlighting the growing divide between Texas conservatives and the state’s education establishment.
Political Fault Lines
Democrats quickly echoed the union’s criticisms. State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, D-Houston, said she was “disgusted” by Morath’s directive. She accused him of selective outrage, claiming he did not react in a similar way to the recent assassination of Minnesota House Democratic Caucus Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Republicans, meanwhile, largely defended Morath’s position. Conservative activists and organizations, including the 1776 Project, vowed to use the moment to shine a spotlight on what they see as pervasive bias within public schools. “We are committing $$$ to texting every parent exactly what their local teachers are saying about Charlie Kirk’s murder,” said Aiden Buzzetti, the group’s president. “It’s time for parents to know exactly who is teaching their children” (Yu, Houston Chronicle).
This duel of narratives—authoritarian censorship versus necessary accountability—will likely shape legislative debates in the next Texas legislative session.
The Code of Ethics Question
The central legal and ethical question is whether these social media posts constitute violations of the Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics. The code, while affirming free speech rights, also obliges teachers to maintain professional conduct, avoid harmful speech toward students and colleagues, and serve as positive role models in the community.
The TEA’s investigative division routinely handles cases ranging from inappropriate teacher-student relationships to criminal behavior. Under Morath’s guidance, posts that celebrate or mock political assassinations could fall into the same disciplinary pipeline. That process may result in dismissals, suspensions, or even placement on the state’s “do not hire” list.
For critics, that equation is excessive—conflating poor judgment on social media with crimes or abuses of authority. For supporters, however, the stakes are clear: if educators publicly display hatred or contempt for individuals based on ideology, parents have every reason to question whether their children are receiving impartial instruction.
Local Districts Act First
Though the TEA has not yet launched formal investigations, individual districts have acted swiftly. Klein ISD’s termination of its coach became a high-profile example, amplified by local media. Wylie ISD’s resignations showed that the controversy is not confined to large urban districts. Jourdanton ISD, a small district south of San Antonio, is also reportedly investigating one of its educators.
The decentralized nature of Texas education governance means that districts may choose to act independently even before TEA investigators weigh in. This patchwork of local responses further complicates the question of fairness and consistency.
What’s Really at Stake
The debate is not merely about Charlie Kirk, nor is it solely about teachers and their jobs. At its core, the controversy reveals how deeply fractured Texas has become over cultural and political identities.
For conservatives, the spectacle of taxpayer-funded educators mocking the assassination of a conservative leader represents an intolerable breach of public trust. It confirms suspicions that many public schools harbor ideological hostility toward traditional values and conservative families.
For progressives and unions, however, the investigation signals a creeping authoritarianism in Texas governance, where political loyalty tests are imposed on teachers in violation of their constitutional rights. To them, the TEA’s actions are not about professionalism—they are about silencing political opposition.
The Road Ahead
The TEA’s review process could stretch for months. If formal investigations proceed, cases will eventually be heard by the governor-appointed State Board of Educator Certification, where teachers may rely on union lawyers or private counsel. The outcomes of those hearings could establish precedents that shape the boundaries of teacher conduct—and free speech—for years to come.
Meanwhile, the controversy will continue to play out in school board meetings, union rallies, and legislative chambers. With school choice, parental rights, and curriculum fights already at the forefront in Texas politics, this battle over teacher speech will only add more fuel to the fire.
Conclusion
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has left more than just a grieving family and a mourning conservative movement. It has exposed fault lines in Texas education and politics that run deeper than many realized.
Whether the TEA’s response is viewed as an act of accountability or authoritarian overreach depends largely on one’s political vantage point. But one fact is undeniable: in a state already polarized over education policy, the line between professional ethics and personal liberty has never been more contested.
And as Texas weighs how to handle 180 complaints against its educators, the rest of the nation is watching closely. The outcome will not only determine the careers of dozens of teachers but may also set a precedent for how America reconciles free speech with professional responsibility in its classrooms.
Austin
Texas GOP Wants Closed Primaries. New Secretary of State Robert Howden Is Preparing to Fight Them.
Austin, TX – Texas Republicans spent years demanding control of their own primary. Now they have a new Secretary of State, Robert S. Howden, appointed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, and the man taking over the state’s election machinery is inheriting a lawsuit in which his office is expected to defend the very open primary system the GOP wants to dismantle.
The Republican Party of Texas filed the federal lawsuit in September 2025, arguing that Texas’ open primary system violates the party’s First Amendment right of association. Under the current system, Texas voters do not register by party and may choose which party’s primary to vote in during an election cycle. The GOP wants only registered Republicans participating in Republican primaries.
The case is pending in federal court in Amarillo before U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk.
And Robert S. Howden has now inherited it.
Howden Steps Into the Fight
Gov. Abbott appointed Howden as Texas’ 116th secretary of state on July 17, effective July 18. Howden previously served as Abbott’s senior adviser and director of legislative affairs and has worked in the administrations of four Republican governors. As secretary of state, he is Texas’ chief elections officer.
Abbott has been quite clear about where he stands.
At the 2026 Republican Party convention, he said Texas would eventually make clear that “only Republicans vote in Republican primaries.” Abbott has also said lawmakers “can and should be more responsive to Republicans than a judge may be,” indicating that he expects the Legislature to address the issue during the 2027 session.
But that doesn’t mean the Secretary of State’s office is supposed to simply surrender in court.
That was the position taken by Howden’s predecessor, Jane Nelson.
Nelson argued that changing Texas’ primary system was a job for the Legislature, not a federal judge. In an October 2025 statement, she said it was her responsibility to defend existing election laws and that she would implement whatever changes the Legislature lawfully enacted.
The Attorney General’s office took the opposite position.
Attorney General Ken Paxton sided with the Texas GOP, asking the federal court to strike down portions of the Texas Election Code governing open primaries. According to reporting by The Texas Tribune, Nelson’s lawyers said Paxton’s office gave them less than an hour’s notice before taking the opposing position.
So the Republican Party sued the Republican-controlled state government. The Republican Attorney General joined the plaintiffs. And the Republican Secretary of State fought the lawsuit.
That’s not exactly the tidy party unity politicians like to advertise.
The Real Fight Is Over Who Controls the Nomination
The GOP argues that crossover voting allows Democrats and independents to influence Republican nominations, potentially helping candidates who are less conservative than the party base.
The lawsuit specifically pointed to the 2024 Republican primaries involving former House Speaker Dade Phelan and Rep. Gary VanDeaver. Both won their races by fewer than 800 votes, and the party argued that crossover voters helped determine the outcomes.
The party has already made closing primaries an official priority. Republicans adopted rules supporting closed primaries in 2024 and renewed that push at their 2026 convention.
But changing the system is not as simple as flipping a switch.
Texas has more than 18 million registered voters, and the state’s registration system was never designed around party registration. Moving to closed primaries could require new registration procedures, computer-system changes and a method for existing voters to establish party affiliation.
The GOP wants the courts to clear the way, preferably in time for 2028.
San Angelo, TX – San Angelo’s battle over massive data centers has moved from City Hall chambers to the ballot box, and two council members could soon have to defend their seats before voters angry about how the city has handled the projects. What began as a fight over water, power, development and transparency is now a full-blown political revolt, with recall efforts targeting Council Members Harry Thomas and Joe Self.
And the controversy comes at an interesting moment for Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of data centers moving through the state’s electric grid interconnection process, saying the review must be completed before any data center project moves forward. ERCOT subsequently told Fox News Digital that Abbott’s directive “effectively pauses all data center projects” while the state reviews their demands on the grid.
That means the questions being shouted at San Angelo City Hall are no longer merely local complaints from residents opposed to a particular development. Texas officials are now asking some of the same questions.
Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT to examine pending data center projects and gather information, including projected annual and peak electricity demand, water consumption, water sources, and whether facilities intend to generate some of their own electricity. ERCOT reported that roughly 90 percent of the 474 gigawatts of large-load interconnection requests currently under review are associated with data centers, more than five times Texas’ record peak electricity demand.
Back in San Angelo, the San Angelo Data Center Citizen Coalition has been pushing its own accountability campaign.
A petition seeking the recall of Council Member Harry Thomas, who represents Single Member District 3, was submitted July 15 with more than the required signatures. The city clerk later certified the petition after determining 53 signatures were sufficient, clearing the way for a recall election.
Following public comment, the City Council voted 6-1 to call the recall election.
Thomas has maintained that he has no intention of resigning.
“I weigh every decision I’ve ever made on behalf of the 100,000 citizens in San Angelo,” Thomas said after the petition was submitted. “Every time I vote, I vote for all the citizens. I have no plans to resign from my position.”
Self is now facing his own recall effort.
The coalition submitted an affidavit seeking Self’s recall and subsequently collected the signatures necessary to move forward. On Aug. 6, Self issued a statement saying he supports residents’ right to seek a recall but rejected what he described as misinformation about his involvement with data centers.
“I have not signed any non-disclosure agreements,” Self said. “I have not benefited financially. I have not voted in favor of a data center.”
Self said the council has instead voted on regulations that would apply if a data center is established in San Angelo.
That distinction between approving a specific project and approving regulations governing potential projects has become one of the central arguments in the political fight. San Angelo officials have considered rules addressing land use, water and wastewater issues as the city confronts proposals for large-scale data center development.
The proposed Skybox project has become particularly contentious. City officials have described it as a potential $7.2 billion investment, while opponents have raised concerns about water consumption, electricity demand, infrastructure, noise and transparency surrounding the development process.
The political consequences are spreading beyond San Angelo.
Residents in Temple and Granbury have also launched recall or charter efforts amid disputes over data center development. In Temple, opponents have cited concerns about land, water consumption and heat generated by facilities. In Granbury, activists gathered signatures seeking recalls involving the mayor and most members of the City Council.
Election
Texas Senate Hopeful James Talarico Shared Pride Event Stage With 11-Year-Old Child Drag Performer
Federal Court Upholds State Limits on Minors at Adult Drag Shows
Taylor, TX – A federal appeals court has just upheld a Florida law restricting minors from attending certain adult live performances, including some drag shows. Within hours of that ruling, renewed attention was focused on Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico after reports resurfaced showing he headlined a 2021 Pride fundraiser featuring an 11-year-old child drag performer promoted as one of the event’s main attractions.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled in HM Florida-ORL, LLC v. Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, allowing Florida to enforce its law restricting minors from attending certain adult live performances. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the decision, calling it a victory for protecting children. The ruling does not prohibit drag performances for adults, but it recognizes that states may impose limits when minors are involved.
The timing has drawn renewed scrutiny to Talarico’s record as he campaigns for the U.S. Senate against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
According to promotional materials first highlighted by the Washington Free Beacon, Talarico was a featured speaker during Taylor PRIDE’s June 26, 2021 fundraiser in Taylor, Texas. The event was organized to raise money for “rural LGBTQ communities” and included live music, Drag Story Hour, adult drag performers, and an 11-year-old performer using the stage name “Kween Kee Kee.”
Taylor PRIDE advertised the child as “the absolute cutest & youngest of our drag performers.” Promotional posts stated the child would perform a drag routine and host “Kee Kee Storytime,” where children would participate in Pride-themed craft activities. The event was held at Texas Beer Company.
Photographs published from the event show Talarico addressing attendees from the stage and posing with participants. Additional photographs and video posted publicly show Kween Kee Kee, a local preteen named Keegan, performing in a shimmering blue dress, platinum blonde wig, and theatrical makeup during what organizers described as a Youth Drag Show. One attendee shared video of the child performing the splits before the audience.
The fundraiser also featured several adult drag performers, including Brianna Brinxx, Belladonna Dior, Felecia Enspire, and a performer using the stage name Sedonya Face.
Following criticism from conservative activists who protested the event, Taylor PRIDE defended the festival on social media. The organization rejected claims that the event was sexually explicit or exploitative and encouraged the public to review photographs from the event and decide for themselves.
Talarico’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment from the Washington Free Beacon regarding his participation.
The resurfaced event adds to a broader record that Republicans have highlighted throughout Talarico’s political career. While serving in the Texas House, Talarico opposed legislation restricting drag performances in the presence of children and argued lawmakers should avoid harming what he described as Texas’ drag performers. He has also opposed Republican-backed legislation restricting certain transgender medical treatments for minors and has frequently spoken in support of LGBTQ causes.
More recently, however, Talarico has attempted to present himself as a more moderate statewide candidate. He has described previous remarks, including referring to God as “nonbinary,” as “cringey” and has removed some progressive messaging from campaign materials as he seeks to broaden his appeal beyond Democratic primary voters.
The renewed attention comes as cultural debates surrounding children and drag performances continue playing out both politically and legally. Florida’s appellate court victory represents one of the most significant recent rulings supporting a state’s authority to restrict minors from attending certain adult-oriented live performances, even as litigation over similar laws continues elsewhere.
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