Mon, 15 Sep 2025

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 Report those who celebrate Charlie Kirk death to employers, Vance says

The vice-president's remarks come amid a wave of firings over posts deemed inappropriate about Kirk's death.

* US Vice-President JD Vance says people who celebrate the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk should be held accountable.
* Vance claims left-wing Americans are more likely to defend and celebrate political violence, and that there is no civility in celebrating a "political assassination".
* Several US companies have suspended or sacked employees for social media posts deemed inappropriate about Kirk's death, including pilots, medical professionals, teachers, and one Secret Service employee.
* Critics argue the firings threaten free speech and employee protections, but US companies generally have broad discretion to terminate employees under "at-will" contracts.
* Republican lawmakers are echoing calls for punishment of those publicly celebrating Kirk's death, with some demanding their firing, defunding, and license revocation.
* The Department of Education is being urged to cut off funding from schools or universities that refuse to retaliate against employees making insensitive posts about Kirk.
* Several professors and journalists have faced punishment for their comments on social media, sparking a debate over "cancel culture".
* US employers generally have the right to fire workers for any reason, but experts say this could infringe on free speech rights if it is done in response to public pressure.
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