After the attack on Charlie Kirk, a fierce campaign against his critics has been unleashed in the US. Teachers, military and civil servants have been fired. The division in the country is deepening.
After the murder of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, many of his supporters in the US see him as a "martyr" and are angry at people who criticize Kirk or are critical of the activities and theses he spread.
A campaign is underway on the Internet among right-wing politicians and influencers. Government officials and celebrities like Laura Loomer are calling on Americans to publicly condemn online posts criticizing Kirk and are calling for their authors to be fired from their jobs.
How a comment can lead to dismissal
Many teachers, firefighters and military personnel have also been affected by this campaign. Several people have already lost their jobs. Kirk's supporters are systematically searching the Internet for negative comments about the slain activist and giving advice to their like-minded people, Agence France-Presse reported.
"If there is a photo of them on the profile, even if there is no name, download it", advises right-wing conservative influencer Joey Mannarino. The photo can then be compared to LinkedIn, the online professional networking site, and the person's workplace can be found, allowing complaints to be filed.
Laura Sosch-Lightsey, associate dean of Middle Tennessee University in Murfreesboro, wrote on Facebook about Kirk's death: "Hate breeds hate. ZERO sympathy." Tennessee Senator Marcia Blackburn, a Republican, immediately condemned the post and called for Sosch-Lightsey to be fired: "This person should be ashamed of her post. She should be removed from office."
The same evening, the university announced that it was firing the employee for "heartless" comment on Kirk's murder.
No criticism of Kirk and his statements
A critical comment about Kirk also got an Oklahoma teacher in trouble. After the attack, he wrote on social media that Kirk died the way he lived - bringing out the worst in people.
The Oklahoma Department of Education said that the teacher was being investigated for this "disgusting" comment.
Far-right activists have targeted not only the negative comments about Kirk himself, but also the way people are reacting to his death. Well-known influencer Laura Loomer drew attention to the statements of a FEMA employee who attacked Trump for ordering the raising of mourning flags in memory of an activist who he said was "racist, homophobic, and misogynistic".
Loomer wrote on this occasion: "These people hate us. They should not be in power in this country." FEMA subsequently announced that the employee was removed from his post for his "disgusting and outrageous" comments.
Foreigners are also being targeted
In addition to right-wing activists and influencers, members of the Trump administration are also calling for joint action against the comments about Kirk, which they say are inappropriate. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, for example, ordered the military to report such comments to their colleagues.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau focused on foreigners living in the US who praised "violence and hatred" in connection with the death of Charlie Kirk.
"I am disgusted by the fact that some on social media are praising, justifying or downplaying this incident, and I have instructed our consular staff to take appropriate measures", Landau wrote in X.
"Please report such comments to me so that the State Department can protect the American people," he added.