PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Following the tragic death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk—a prominent voice in the conservative movement—the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has issued stern warnings to public school educators who made inflammatory or disrespectful comments online in the aftermath. But the Florida Education Association (FEA), the state’s largest teachers union, is pushing back.
The union, which represents over 150,000 educators, has stepped in to legally defend a growing number of teachers now under investigation after what Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas called “despicable” social media behavior in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.
“We have lawyers looking at the threats that are being made against teachers. And of course, that is unacceptable,” said FEA President Andrew Spar. “I would hope that the commissioner would agree that threats against teachers, doxxing of teachers, is something that should not happen.”
Spar told local media that between 14 and 16 teachers have already contacted the union for assistance, with more expected to come forward in the days ahead. Many of these educators are reportedly under scrutiny for posts made online that appeared to mock or show approval of Kirk’s death—behavior many would argue is far from professional or compassionate.
Commissioner Kamoutsas announced last week that the FLDOE would be investigating each instance where public educators may have crossed the line, reminding school districts that teachers are public servants held to a higher standard of conduct.
But Spar has a different view. He compared the Department’s response to a form of political witch-hunting reminiscent of the McCarthy era.
“What we’re seeing right now is certainly what feels to me to be McCarthy-like,” Spar said, invoking the 1950s-era effort to root out communists, where public accusations and blacklists damaged reputations and careers without due process.
“People are being encouraged by the commissioner and by others to essentially hunt for teachers or staff or professors who are saying something that someone has a problem with, however small it may be… to dox teachers, to threaten teachers,” he added.
Spar also suggested that the Department’s actions are politically motivated, disproportionately targeting voices critical of conservative figures while ignoring other problematic behavior in the classroom.
“We have to look at this from a rational standpoint,” Spar said. “Does what the teacher said really impact their ability to do their job? Or was this a mob mentality making it a bigger issue?”
But critics argue that Spar and the FEA are missing the larger point: that educators mocking the murder of a young, influential conservative leader—who spent his life advocating for free speech, individual liberty, and constitutional values—crosses a moral line.
“It’s not about free speech, it’s about basic decency,” said one conservative parent in Palm Beach County. “If a teacher posted hateful comments about a left-wing figure’s death, we all know the reaction would be swift and unapologetic.”
Charlie Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, was a powerful advocate for conservative principles on college campuses and across the nation. His assassination has sent shockwaves through the conservative movement, with tributes pouring in from grassroots supporters to high-ranking politicians.
As the FLDOE presses forward with its investigations, the FEA is preparing for what could become a legal showdown over the boundaries of teacher conduct, political speech, and whether professional accountability ends where ideological protection begins.
Meanwhile, Spar is urging all affected educators to contact their local union offices as the FEA explores its next steps.
