Judge Blocks Firing of University of South Dakota Professor Over Charlie Kirk Post

Phillip Michael Hook, a tenured art professor at the University of South Dakota, posted controversial comments on Facebook calling conservative activist Charlie Kirk a "hate spreading Nazi" shortly after Kirk was fatally shot. Despite public and political backlash, including calls for his dismissal from state officials, a federal judge ruled that Hook's speech was protected by the First Amendment as it was made as a private citizen on a matter of public concern. Hook was placed on administrative leave, but the court issued a temporary restraining order reinstating him pending further hearings. Hook subsequently apologized for the post, but maintains that his termination would violate his constitutional rights. The case highlights ongoing tensions between academic freedom, free speech, and public accountability, with broader implications for political discourse in educational settings. The legal proceedings continue, with a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled.