There's no denying that we live in a time of heightened political tension. It's safe to say that the vast majority agree that political assassination is an intolerable aberration and has no place in civilized society, but political violence does appear to be increasing.
To go along with this uptick in violence, there are aggressive comments and accusations being levied on social media. For example, mentions of "civil war" online increased dramatically on X after the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
That's why it's important to know how such comments can affect your work.
Job Terminations and Boycotts
The shocking murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an appearance at Utah Valley University has reigned as front-page news since it happened on September 10, 2025. The longtime ally of President Donald Trump was shot in the neck. Law enforcement has apprehended the alleged culprit, Tyler Robinson.
Investigators have not yet laid out a detailed motive for the 22-year-old, although that has not stopped many from speculating. About the only certain public information we have at the time of this writing is that Robinson engraved bullets with references to fascism and video games.
While social media has reacted in the wildly divergent way that social media does, repercussions for those who expressed a lack of remorse at Kirk's death or suggested that "he deserved it" have included job terminations and threats of boycotts.
The Freedom To Speak Unpopular Ideas
Charlie Kirk was a conservative political commentator and the founder of Turning Point, a non-profit organization that advocates its views at high schools and colleges. Both his debating style and the positions he advocated for made him a figure of controversy.
Regardless of how a person viewed Kirk, uttering his name in a work environment right now is likely to cause an impassioned response. No matter which side you're on, offering your opinion is protected by the U.S. Constitution, right? Well, it depends.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution does indeed protect the freedom of citizens to speak their minds without fear of legal retribution from the federal government, which is an important clarification. But even that's not an absolute. The First Amendment does not protect people who incite violence, for example. There are also time, manner, and place restrictions about when and where you are free to speak your mind.
Political Opinions at Work
Most comments on Charlie Kirk may be protected by the First Amendment, but there can still be consequences for those comments in your personal and professional life. When you sign a work contract with a non-governmental employer, you're agreeing to abide by their terms of employment. The rules are often laid out in the company handbook or available from the human resources department. While a company can't tell you who to vote for, it can have an office policy that forbids the discussion of politics or other sensitive topics. Violation of these rules can result in a reprimand, a warning, or even termination.
If you work in a state with "at will" employment, you may not have a work contract. This often gives an employer even more leeway in the reasons they can fire you (they can also fire you for no reason at all). If you're at work and loudly complaining about the political party your boss holds near and dear, there's a good chance the First Amendment is not going to come to your rescue if you get fired.
This can be even more prevalent for those in public roles. MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd found himself unemployed after commenting that Kirk's "hateful words" had been a causal factor in his demise. His words, and the ensuing outrage from Kirk's supporters, were enough to end a twenty-year career as a political pundit on the cable news network. Reuters has reported on at least 15 people in journalism and academia who have lost their jobs in the wake of Kirk's assassination. The military has implemented a zero-tolerance policy for service members speaking inappropriately about Kirk.
Vice President JD Vance said on Kirk's own podcast on September 15 that he encouraged everyone listening to call out people commenting on Kirk. "When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out. Hell, call their employer," he urged.
Not-So Social Media
Social media has become the virtual version of a town square, but it's also a very good way to draw unwanted attention to yourself. If you post political or other controversial opinions on a work account, you're asking for trouble. The internet never forgets, which is another way of saying that the delete button often doesn't mean something is truly deleted forever.
Posting to a non-work account can still be a dangerous proposition, depending on the type of work you do. Angering a significant number of people can lead to some of them finding where you work and alerting your superiors (and the public at large) to what you've shared online. Some are organized enough to collect signatures before sending a missive threatening a boycott of the company due to your employment. That might have you filing for unemployment tomorrow morning instead of heading out of your usual commute.
In the aftermath of something that affects the entire nation, it's normal for feelings to be exposed and raw. However, firing off a post in anger or fear can sometimes lead to trouble for the poster. It's not a bad idea to pause to reconsider your post before hitting the "post" button.
Related Resources
- SCOTUS Leaves "Likely Unconstitutional" Mississippi Social Media Law in Place for Now (FindLaw's Federal Courts)
- Can I Sue My Employer? (FindLaw's Employment Law)
- Wrongful Termination Law (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
