What the Employees Said
- Matthew Kargol (Iowa): On Sept. 11, posted “1 Nazi down” on his personal Facebook page. He was suspended the same day and terminated by unanimous school board vote on Sept. 17, according to theDes Moines Register. His lawsuit calls the remark “rhetorical hyperbole” that “did not threaten any person, did not incite imminent unlawful action and was not directed at any member of the school community.”
- Lauren Vaughn (South Carolina): Fired Sept. 15 from River Ridge Elementary School. Her attorney, Jack Cohoon, insists her social media posts “were nothing that she should have been terminated for.”
- Indiana University Employee: Details remain sparse, but court filings confirm an individual was terminated for similar online commentary referencing Kirk.
What’s Next
Each lawsuit will proceed through its respective state courts, with likely motions to dismiss from school districts claiming that public employees’ speech can be restricted when it undermines public trust. Expect:
