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CANADA-CRUDE-Discount on Western Canada Select at widest point since March
The discount between the North American benchmark West Texas Intermediate futures and Western Canada Select futures has widened to its largest point since early March. WCS for Hardisty, Alberta delivery in January settled at $13.55 per barrel below U.S. benchmark WTI according to brokerage CalRock. This compares to $13.15 a barrel on Monday. The WCS discount recently increased after spending most of the year in the $9-$11 price range. This is due to the Trans mountain?pipeline extension which has given Canadian oil producers?additional capacity for export. * Some analysts attribute the widening differential to seasonality while others point out that increased Canadian oil production is putting pressure on it through increased supply. * Prices in global markets edged down on Tuesday after a fall of 2% the previous day. Investors were keeping an eye on peace talks that could end Russia's conflict in Ukraine and on a decision about U.S. rates. (Reporting and editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri in Calgary)
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Shell announces temporary shutdown of two Gulf of Mexico offshore platform
Shell, the oil major in the United States, has announced that two of its offshore platforms are producing. The Gulf of Mexico is temporarily closed due to the shutdown of Hoover Offshore Oil Pipeline System. The U.S. Gulf's top producer said that it expects the Whale and Perdido platform, which was?shut down on Monday night?, to resume its production by Tuesday. Energy Aspects, a market analysis firm, estimated that Whale produced about 90,000 barrels a day (bpd), whereas Perdido's production stood at approximately?57,000 in September. Shell declined to provide the current production figures. Shell stated that Whale's capacity is around 100,000 boepd at its peak, and Perdido stands at 125,000 boepd. Southern Green Canyon crude oil prices, which are produced in this region, rose by 40 cents on Tuesday, to $2.45 less than U.S. West Texas intermediate?crude. Exxon Mobil did not respond immediately to a?request for comment. The pipeline system transports oil from offshore fields to Freeport, Texas. Arathy S. Somasekhar, Houston reporter; Matthew Lewis, editor
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After the attack on a passenger, US threatens to cut off funding for Chicago Transit
U.S. Transportation Department threatened on Tuesday to withhold funding for Chicago 'trains and buses' and demanded increased police protection citing an attack and burning of a woman, 26 years old, last month. In letters sent to Illinois Governor JB Prattker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, the?Federal Transit Agency warned that if they did not develop a plan for reducing assaults against transit workers and passengers as well as addressing unsafe conditions, federal funding could be lost. Similar letters were sent by the department to 'New York' and 'Boston, expressing concerns over transit issues. Chicago is also heavily Democratic, as are the other two. Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened funding for large cities led by Democrats including major infrastructure projects Chicago and New York. At a press event, Chicago Mayor?Johnson stated that he would respond to the letter. He also said he takes the threats of funding very seriously. Johnson, at a press conference, said: "We have to look at the security apparatus for public transport." "I don't?need a letter from the Trump administration to let me know what my priorities are." Federal prosecutors indicted a man aged 50 with a federal terrorist offense last month for allegedly lighting a passenger ablaze on a Chicago Transit Authority Train. Lawrence Reed, a Chicago resident, allegedly purchased gasoline from a Chicago station and filled a small container with the liquid about 20 minutes before dumping it on the victim. Reed was detained until his trial, and was ordered to undergo an evaluation of the mental state. Pritzker criticised the FTA letter? at a press briefing. Pritzker stated that the federal government was threatening to take federal funds away from state and local governments for purposes they are not allowed to use. Pritzker said, "We are prepared to implement the safest and most modern transit system possible in the entire country." His office reported that Illinois has passed a public transit reform, which includes increased funding for programs aimed at public safety, such as combating violent crime in public transportation. The Federal Transit Administration?issued an order ordering Chicago to update their transportation safety plan, and maintain a secure operating environment for both workers and passengers. Marc Molinaro, FTA Administrator, said: "If CTA doesn't take immediate action to improve its law enforcement presence we will withhold Federal funds." Reporting by David Shepardson, Washington; Editing and review by Chris Reese & David Gregorio
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Trump Administration waives $16.7 Million in fines for American Airlines due to wheelchair issues
USDOT said Tuesday that it will waive $16.7 Million in fines issued to American Airlines under then-President Joe Biden, in 2024. The fines were issued as part of an agreement over the airline's treatment towards?disabled customers. This included failing to provide them with adequate assistance and mishandling their wheelchairs. USDOT stated that it will require American Airlines to spend $16.8million to benefit passengers with disabilities. This includes requiring American to buy 119 wheelchair lifts in three high-volume airports, as well as mobile phones and software upgrades to allow American to track wheelchairs and record them point-by-point as they move throughout the transport process. According to the original settlement, American was required to pay $25 million in fines over a period of three years. They were also credited with $25 million in credit for investments and compensation to passengers who had been affected. Reporting by David Shepardson, Washington
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USDOT: Passengers affected by A320 software updates are not entitled to compensation.
The U.S. Transportation Department announced Tuesday that airlines who delayed or cancelled U.S. flights due to a government emergency directive to update software on 'Airbus A320 aircraft last'month were not required by law to provide hotel accommodations, meals, or other benefits to affected passengers. Major airlines have agreed to offer such benefits if a cancellation or a significant delay occurs due to circumstances that are within their control. USDOT stated that the Airbus A320 problem -- which was a Federal Aviation Administration requirement for immediate action -- did not trigger this requirement. After a JetBlue A320 was involved in an incident mid-air, a vulnerability for?solar flares' emerged. This led to hundreds of cancellations and delays during the Thanksgiving holiday. In a Tuesday notice, the department stated that "going forward, it will not consider cancellations or long delays caused by unscheduled repairs in response to an airworthiness order?that can't be deferred?or must be addressed prior to a flight as being due to circumstances under airline control." In November, Transportation Department announced that it would not implement a proposal from the Biden Administration to require cash compensation for passengers when airlines cancel or delay flights significantly. Last week, 15 Democratic Senators introduced legislation to force airlines to compensate passengers with cash if they cause significant delays. The U.S. does not require airlines to compensate customers for delays, but they must refund customers who cancel flights. All four countries - the European Union, Canada and Britain - have rules on airline compensation for delays. No major U.S. airlines currently guarantee?cash compensation' for flight delays. USDOT announced in September that it was 'considering' rescinding Biden Regulations requiring airlines to disclose service charges alongside airfare. The Trump administration?also plans to reduce what they call regulatory burdens for airlines and ticket agents, by writing new regulations detailing the definitions of flight cancellations that give consumers a right to ticket refunds. They will also revisit rules on ticket pricing and advertisement.
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Ministry says that half of Kiev's capital is in darkness after Russian strikes
The energy ministry reported that the power was out in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for about half of the residents on Tuesday after the latest Russian attacks on the country's electricity system. The situation in Kyiv is one of the worst - at the moment, 50%?of the consumers in the capital do not have electricity,"?the ministry stated on Telegram. In recent months, Russia has increased the number of attacks and intensity on Ukrainian energy and gas infrastructure. This includes both power generation facilities and transmission systems. Ukraine has three nuclear power stations that produce more than half of its electricity. However, due to damage on power lines, the plants have been forced to reduce their production. Ukrenergo, the operator of Ukraine's power grid, is forced to reduce its energy supply to consumers. This results in entire regions being plunged into darkness. The power cuts affect heat and water supply. Residents in Kyiv and the Kyiv Region have only had electricity for 10 hours of the 24 that they needed over the last week. (Reporting and Editing by Hugh Lawson, Frances Kerry and Yuliia Diasa)
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Boeing deliveries fall 17% in November, trail Airbus
The company announced on Tuesday that it delivered only 44 new planes in November compared to 53 in the previous month. This is behind European rival Airbus, which delivered 72 aircraft. Boeing delivered 32 737 MAX single-aisle jets to Southwest Airlines in November. TAAG Angola Airlines received six 787s including two 787-10s. This was a major part of their expansion plans. U.S. aircraft manufacturer also delivered two 777 freighters, one to Turkish Airlines (and one to Moldova's Aerotranscargo) and four 767s. In November, the company received 164 "new orders" with 38 cancellations. This amounted to 126 net orders. Boeing has received 74 orders to build its?777X widebody aircraft, which will enter service seven years late, in 2027. Emirates, the launch customer for the 777X jetliners, ordered 65 more of them during the Dubai Airshow. Emirates now has 270 777X jets in its order book. Taiwan's China Airlines has also ordered nine 777X aircraft, adding to its earlier order of 14 777X jets. Boeing received 30 orders for 787 aircraft, 15 of which came from Bahrain's Gulf Air, 8 from Uzbekistan Airways and 6 from Etihad Airways. One order was from an unknown buyer. Unidentified buyers placed 43 orders with the U.S. aircraft manufacturer for 737 MAX jets. The U.S. Air Force also placed orders for 15 KC-46 Tankers and two 777 Freighters. Etihad canceled 15 777X orders. Gulf carrier still has 10 777X order. Air Canada cancelled four 787 orders, and Comair in South Africa canceled five orders for the 737 MAX. Airbus, which delivered more planes than Boeing in November, has cut its full-year target to 790 planes due to an issue with industrial quality. Boeing delivered 537 planes through November 30. This included 396 737 Maxs, 74 777s, 33 767s and 28 767s. It also?booked a total of 1,000 new orders or a net 908. After cancellations and conversions. At the end of November, its order backlog stood at 6,019. Boeing's Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave stated last week that Boeing expects to have positive cash flow by 2026 as a result of increased jet deliveries. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed in Seattle, with Dan Catchpole reporting from Seattle)
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Airbus receives China's approval for jet deliveries but is still waiting for a new order
The company announced that Airbus had secured Chinese approval to proceed with the delivery 120 jets previously ordered. However, the agreement signed in Beijing leaves 'the European planemaker waiting for progress regarding a new order of hundreds of jets. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, visited China for geopolitics and business talks last week. He did not mention 500 plane orders Airbus had been discussing over a period of a year – a package that is often associated with state visits. French media reported that Airbus won a contract that could lead up to 120 "new orders" in the future. Airbus said, however, that the deal, known as a general terms of agreement, was just a step to completing orders already in its books. Airbus spokeswoman: "This GTA agreement authorizes the delivery of aircraft that are already in our order books, which is standard procedure with Chinese customers." The Chinese state-owned buying agency has not responded to a comment request. Airbus and Boeing are both waiting to see if China will proceed with its large-scale aircraft orders. China has been delaying placing these politically sensitive orders for many years. Industry sources stated in April that Airbus has been engaged in intermittent negotiations to secure a 500-jet order since at least 2024. However, China is usually cautious when it comes to large purchases during times of geopolitical unrest. Airbus is relying on a breakthrough in order to catch up with the U.S. competitor and reach an internal target of around?1,200 planes, according to industry sources. Sources in the industry say that, barring an unexpected shift, there is little sign that either of the two world's largest planemakers could win major orders from Beijing for set-pieces this year. Airbus reported 700 net orders in the first 11 months, while Boeing had 782 by the end of October, the last period for which data was available. Airbus will likely outpace Boeing in deliveries for the seventh consecutive year, despite a lower forecast last week because of an industrial problem affecting certain fuselage panels. In Geneva, earlier on Tuesday, IATA's head said that he was less confident in Airbus to meet its delivery targets. Boeing, however, had shown improvement, despite ongoing supply-chain problems. Tim Hepher reported the story. Mark Potter edited the article.
SPECIAL RELEASE-The Charlie Kirk Purge: How 600 Americans suffered in a pro Trump crackdown
Lauren Vaughn is a kindergarten assistant from South Carolina. When she saw that Charlie Kirk, a right-wing influential, had been shot during an event in Utah. She opened Facebook and typed a quote by Kirk.
Kirk, in 2023, said that gun deaths were "unfortunate" but "worth it," if they protected "the Second Amendment, to protect our God-given Rights." Vaughn then added, "Thoughts, and prayers."
Vaughn is a 37-year old Christian who has made missionary trips in Guatemala. She said that her request for prayer was genuine. She said that she hoped Kirk's words, in context with the shooting, would prompt her friends to pray.
Rethinking their opposition to gun controls
She thought, "Maybe they will now listen."
Vaughn was fired a few days later. Vaughn was among more than 600 Americans who were terminated, suspended, investigated or disciplined for their comments regarding Kirk's assassination on September 10, according to an analysis of court documents, public statements, reports from local media and interviews with 20 people who had been fired or otherwise disciplined.
Some people were fired for celebrating or mocking Kirk’s death. At least 15 people received discipline for invoking "karma," "divine justice," or variations of "Good riddance"; nine other people were disciplined for saying "Good riddance." One poster said, "One down and plenty more to go."
Some, such as Vaughn say that they simply criticised Kirk's political views.
At least one academic in the pro-Kirk group was placed on administrative leave for threatening to "hunt" down those who celebrated the assassination.
The most comprehensive account of the backlash to Kirk's critics to date, this report traces how local Republican legislators and other influencers mobilized in support of Donald Trump's movement. This story outlines the pro-Trump retaliation machinery that is reshaping American politics. It details its size and tactics, from public humiliation to social media shaming.
Pressure
on employers
Threats to defund institutions. Previous reports have documented how
Trump has purge the federal government
Employees he deems to be opponents of his agenda
Law firms are being targeted for a crackdown
People in the crosshairs of the administration need to be defended.
Sometimes, Americans lose their jobs for speaking out during heated political moments. In 2020, 22 academics lost their jobs.
George Floyd is murdered
According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (a group that advocates for free speech), a Minneapolis officer has fired more than 160 people, many for making comments that were deemed offensive. According to Palestine Legal, a group that protects civil rights for American supporters of Palestinian cause, in 2024, after the outbreak of the most recent Israel-Gaza conflict, more than 160 individuals were fired because of their pro-Palestinian activism.
It is notable that Trump, JD Vance, and other government officials have publicly backed the backlash against comments made about Kirk's shooting. This is a dramatic change for Republicans who, for years, have criticized the left's "cancel-culture" -- the exclusion or punishment of people whose opinions were deemed unacceptable.
The supporters of the firings claim that freedom of expression does not mean freedom from consequences. Doctors, lawyers and teachers should all have high standards of conduct.
They said that emergency workers in positions of trust by the public are not included.
Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, said in a statement: "President Trump, and the entire Administration, will not hesitate to tell the truth. For years, radical leftists slandered political opponents as Nazis or Fascists. This has inspired left-wing violence. It must stop." She continued: "No one understands the dangers associated with political violence better than President Trump", after he survived his two assassination efforts.
Turning Point USA (the youth movement Kirk founded) said in a press release that it supports the right to freedom of speech. "This includes the right of private employers to decide when an employee has crossed a line and deserves to be terminated." The organization cautioned, however, that while celebrating Kirk's death is "evil and unqualified behavior," respectfully disagreeing to his ideas, values, or statements is every American’s right.
Vaughn filed a federal lawsuit on September 18 seeking her reinstatement. She submitted a
Letter
Vaughn filed a lawsuit against the Spartanburg County school district after it received a letter from its superintendent describing her remarks as 'inflammatory, unprofessional and inappropriate.' The district responded by saying Vaughn was unable to prove the allegations.
s post "a
"Pared to endorse Mr. Kirk’s murder or to indicate that it was ‘worth' his losing his life to defend Americans' constitutional rights."
The district has declined to comment further.
Social media campaigns have been used to punish offenders. They circulate screenshots, names, and phone numbers of employers and messages such as "Internet, do what you want." What follows is usually hundreds of angry and threatening messages. In interviews, several people who were targeted claimed that they received a flood of phone calls. One person recalled getting a phone call every minute of the day. At least two people said that the harassment was so severe they were planning to sell their home.
Julie Strebe lost her job as a sheriff deputy in Salem Missouri after she posted comments about the shooting on Facebook, including: "Empathy isn't owed to oppressors." Later, she said that she viewed Kirk, who she described as an oppressor, because he used his platform to rally white conservative Christians around "racists, sexists, and hateful views."
Strebe says she has installed five cameras in her home to monitor her and her family. She also fuels her vehicle only at night, so as not to disturb her neighbors. Salem is a small town, and moving would mean leaving extended families. But she says the city has become too hostile for her to stay. In an interview, she stated: "I don't think I can ever let down my guard." The Dent County Sheriff's Office declined to comment on Strebe's previous employer.
Many Republican officials are in favor of the punitive campaigns. Some have
Proposed extraordinary measures
The U.S. government has banned those who are deemed to have revelled in Kirk's murder from using social media. The U.S.
State Department revoked visas
The agency has said that six foreigners are "
"We celebrated the horrendous murder of Charlie Kirk."
On September 15, Vice-President JD Vance called on his listeners in a special podcast episode of Kirk to punish those who celebrate Kirk's demise.
Vance said, "Call out their employer, hell, even call them." Vance's Office pointed out comments made by the vice president earlier this year, in which he said: "Where I draw the lines is encouraging violence against politicians."
Academics have compared this backlash with the "Red Scare," an anti-Communist purge which peaked in 1950, when government officials, union leaders, and Hollywood stars were accused of Communist connections. In a climate that was characterized by fear, thousands were investigated. This influenced American politics and culture over a period of a decade. Landon Storrs is a history professor at the University of Iowa. He said that there are "very troubling parallels".
The crackdown has caused concern among several prominent Republicans, particularly after the Federal Communications Commission publicly pressured ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's talk show following his monologue where he implied that Kirk Kirk's killer was a member of the political right. The police have not fully revealed the results of their investigation on Tyler Robinson or his motives. Robinson has not entered a guilty plea to the murder charges and other charges brought against him.
Ted Cruz, a Republican senator, warned in his podcast that allowing the government to decide "what speech is acceptable and what is not" creates a dangerous precedent. He said that while it might be nice to silence voices such as Kimmel, "we will regret it when it is used to quiet down every conservative in America." His spokesperson declined any further comments.
'MASSIVE PURGE THESE EVIL PSYCHOS
Kirk's critics were punished almost immediately.
Right-wing influencers mobilized about 30 minutes after Trump announced that Kirk was dead. Chaya Raichik of the popular Libs of TikTok posted "THIS Is War" on X before highlighting a Massachusetts Teacher who wrote: "Just a Reminder, We're Not Offering Sympathy."
By the end of the night, Libs of TikTok published or reposted 37 professional details, often accompanied with commentary like "absolutely vile," Your tax dollars pay her salaries," or "Would he teach your kids?"
The next day, Libs from TikTok wrote: "It is actually frightening how many of these people are teachers and doctors." We need to purge these evil psychos, who are out to kill us all for having different political views.
Libs of TikTok, in the week following the shooting, shared the profiles and names of at least 134 individuals accused of celebrating violence and mocking Kirk’s memory. They frequently tagged Trump administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The influencer has posted information about disciplinary measures taken against government employees.
"BREAKING! This Marine was Fired," Libs of TikTok wrote on September 12th, a day after calling a Marine Corps Captain out. According to a screenshot shared by the influencer, the officer responded to Kirk's passing with an emoji showing clinking beer cups. The captain refused to comment on the post. Libs of TikTok reported similar disciplinary action against an Army Reserve officer, and an Army Colonel who commented on the death via social media.
The Pentagon and Justice Department released
The following are some statements that may be helpful:
They condemned the celebrations surrounding Kirk's death, but didn't address questions regarding their relationship with Libs from TikTok.
Scott Presler, a right-wing influencer, began to post screenshots of Kirk's comments.
On September 10, he instructed his followers to take a screenshot of every single person who was celebrating. He told his followers on September 10: "You can bet that we will make these people infamous." Presler then shared on X posts about 70 people who commented on the murder, writing in one message, "Almost everyone we posted about - who celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination - has been fired." Presler did not respond to comments.
The wave of shootings was a catharsis for many right-wingers who were outraged at the celebrations of the left.
Matt Walsh, a right-wing podcaster who discussed the firings, told his listeners that it was good for them to be humiliated. They would have to live with their consequences the rest of the time. Walsh replied by email: "F**k off."
Video blogger and recovery coach on YouTube
JD Delay expresses glee
He read out the names of those people who lost their jobs because of their remarks.
"I'm having a good time!" He shouted and raised his hands, expressing excitement. Delay said that he believed in "accountability" and "consequences", and that "if publicly saying abhorrent words and getting fired from your work, I will laugh at you."
Sometimes the punishment campaign veered from its original course. In at least five instances, people were wrongly blaming for the comments of others. Another case.
A website that created a blacklist
After receiving tens and thousands of dollars worth of cryptocurrency donations, the website "Expose Charlie's Killers" disappeared. The site's creators could not be identified or contacted for comment.
Online influencers claimed to have received tips from people who wanted Kirk's critics fired. Was unable to verify these figures. Presler, Libs on TikTok, and other right-wing personalities have publicly urged tippers to be patient while they work through the large volume of submissions.
Presler, who wrote "Can't stay up with you all" on X September 12, said: Post your submissions and I will go through them as soon as I can.
The post received more than 2,700 responses a day later.
It is possible that the number of people who were punished for criticizing Kirk was undercounted. Many government and private organizations have not publicly announced terminations or suspensions.
The people who were punished represented at least 45 different states, and a wide range of professions, including doctors, nurses, and police officers, as well as soldiers, pilots, and other professionals.
An Office Depot employee in Michigan was fired for refusing to print Kirk's memorial poster. A Starbucks barista in Ohio lost her job when she was accused of writing a message against Kirk on a mint tea cup.
The barista and Office Depot employee's identities were not known. Office Depot and Kroger, the grocery chain that operates the Ohio Starbucks, condemned the anti Kirk incidents and said that the people involved are no longer employees.
The requests to 21 federal agencies, including Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and the Defense Department, for the number or suspensions or dismissals related to the Kirk murder were either ignored, or declined. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's deputy chief of staff responded to the inquiry on social media by accusing the office of trying "to generate sympathy for the ghouls that celebrate his death."
EDUCATORS ARE ONE OF THE MAIN TARGETS
Teachers, university administrators and academics were the most commonly punished for criticizing Kirk. In the days after the assassination more than 350 education workers, including 50 senior university administrators and academics, three high-school principals, two cheerleading coach and a theology teacher, were either fired, suspended, or investigated.
It is possible that educators are at the forefront of the backlash due to a number of factors. Teachers, as the people tasked with molding young minds, have been portrayed by conservatives for years as ideologues whose goal is to push their students to the left. Teachers' status as taxpayer funded employees made any perceived political commentary particularly explosive.
Six teachers have also spoken out in interviews and public statements. They cited their concern about the prevalence of gun violence in schools across the country, and their anger towards those like Kirk who advocated for widespread access to guns.
Vaughn, a South Carolina kindergarten assistant said she was thinking about this when she posted Kirk's 2023 comment on Facebook, dismissing fatal shootings as a price to be paid to protect gun rights. She said that, like other teachers in the United States, she practiced active shooter drills regularly at her elementary school. She saw the fear on her 5-year-olds faces as they learned to hide from a armed gunman.
She told a friend on Facebook that the day Kirk was killed, she had "no satisfaction" with the murder. She said: "Just heartbreak and hope for anyone and everyone affected by gun violence, and that one day enough will be enough." Later, she told a friend that her message was motivated by concern for children.
Right-wing influencers circulated screenshots of the posts. The original posts may have been deleted, or made private. The Virginia teacher has been suspended, and the Texas internship terminated. Both could not be reached for comment.
Some private employers cited a violation of their company values or safety issues as the reason for terminating employees. The corporations that were caught up in this backlash had a number of reasons for their actions. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian stated in a press release that some employees' statements were "starkly in contrast" with the company's core values and violated the social media policy. United Airlines said it has "zero tolerance" for any form of politically motivated violence.
Some of the Kirk critics, who had taken pains to condemn this shooting, were also fired or suspended after Republican legislators got involved.
Joshua Bregy shared a Facebook post by another user in the wake of Kirk Kirk's death. The post read: "Nobody should be shot down. Not a child, not an influential, not a political figure -- no one. Will I allow others to turn a flawed person whose words have caused significant damage into a martyr? Not a chance."
Clemson Republicans reposted a part of the message in which they called him "ANOTHER LEFTIST PROFESSOR" and demanded his dismissal. Right-wing influencers amplified the post, and Republican state legislators threatened to defund Bregy's public university if he wasn't fired.
Clemson first pledged, in a statement on September 12, to "stand firm on the principles the U.S. Constitution including the protection for free speech."
Clemson fired Bregy after the South Carolina House Speaker and Senate President sent a letter demanding "immediate and appropriate action" from Clemson trustees. Bregy’s Facebook post "was blatantly unprofessional," and "seriously detrimental to the university," Clemson said.
In a letter, Bregy was informed that he had been fired.
Bregy is
Clemson filed a reinstatement petition in federal court in South Carolina. Allen Chaney, his lawyer, said that the academic would still be in the same position "but for the aggressive and coercive tactics used by elected officials in South Carolina."
Clemson's State House Speaker Murrell Smith, and Senate President Thomas Alexander have not responded to requests for comments. Clemson is yet to respond to Bregy’s lawsuit.
At least six times, Republican officials threatened to deny taxpayer funding to universities and schools if Kirk's critics were not fired.
Chaney, the legal director for the South Carolina chapter American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said that the threats of defunding Clemson, and other universities, crossed a constitutional boundary. He said that the government cannot police speech through third-party pressure. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously last year that government officials could not use their authority to "attempt coerce" third parties to punish or suppress speech they don't like.
Paul McGreal, constitutional law professor and Kirk critic at Creighton University Law School (Nebraska), said that the threats of defunding schools who refuse to fire Kirk's critics are "stunning". Government officials threaten speakers with punishment if they don't agree with their views. They are violating the core First Amendment rights."
KIRK HONORED AS '13TH DELIGIOUS' OF CHRIST
Many Republicans have portrayed Kirk as a saintly champion for free speech since Kirk's murder. Evangelicals have compared him to Saint Stephen who is revered as Christianity’s first martyr. One Republican lawmaker said that Kirk would have been the "13th disciple" if he had lived in Biblical time. When he awarded Kirk the posthumous award, Trump compared him to ancient Greek philosopher Socrates and slain president Abraham Lincoln.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom
Kirk's legacy, however, is complex. Kirk gained notoriety for his debates with college students, as part of Turning Point. Kirk advocated criminalizing expressions - like pornography -- that conflicted with Christian beliefs. Kirk backed Trump when Black footballers began kneeling in protest against police brutality during the National Anthem. Later, the White House said that Trump was making a declaration and not a proposal.
Kirk denigrated minorities repeatedly, calling transgenders an "abomination", warning against "prowling Blacks in cities", accusing wealthy Jews for inciting "hatred towards Whites", and declaring Islam to be incompatible with Western civilisation. He dismissed Pope Francis as being a Marxist.
Kirk's hagiography upset some of those who spoke against him after his death.
Kimberly Hunt said, "I felt compelled in an interview to remind people of who he was, and what he represented." Kimberly Hunt is a human resource worker from Arizona. She posted a video with the caption "Save your tears, not for him."
Hunt, in the video, cited Kirk’s history of using derogatory words about transgenders and Muslims before saying that his children were "better off without him". Hunt was promptly fired. Her employer, a construction company in Arizona, has not responded to requests for comments.
Hunt said she was aware that her words were harsh, but stood by them. She said that they were Kirk's position in a discussion last year, where he stated that if Kirk had a daughter of 10 years old who was impregnated by rape "the baby would have been delivered."
Many voices have been silenced by the retaliation. Many people who made anti-Kirk remarks have now deleted or locked their account. In interviews, others said they were pushing back.
Hunt has raised over $88,000 through a GoFundMe page titled "Doxxed - Fired - But Not Silenced". She plans to use the funds to continue her education, to become a content producer, and to keep calling people like Kirk out.
She said, "It has definitely emboldened me."
State and federal court documents show that at least 19 lawsuits were filed against employers who punished Kirk Critics. At least two plaintiffs were successful, including a South Dakota academic who was able to get his teaching job.
Karen Leader, associate professor at Florida Atlantic University took to social media to protest the narrative that Kirk was "a shining example for youth, and a noncontroversial person who wanted an open and civil dialog," she said. Anyone who works in higher education understands that it is not as simple as that.
She pointed out that Turning Point gained prominence because of its Professor Watchlist. This site encouraged students to report professors for holding "radical-left" views or supporting terrorism.
Kirk described the Watchlist not as a blacklist, but rather a tool for raising awareness. In interviews, on social media and in public forums, those who were listed said that the Watchlist encouraged harassment and intimidation. A Turning Point reporter in 2023 was accused of assaulting a professor from Arizona who was on the Watchlist, after confronting him about his sexuality on camera and pushing him to the floor. The reporter was sentenced to a diversionary program after he admitted to harassing, assaulting and disorderly behavior. Turning Point's cameraman confessed to harassing the reporter in this case.
Leader started posting Kirk's previous statements on X starting September 10. She deleted the post after admitting that she had made an error by accusing Kirk incorrectly of using an ethnic slur. She said that she stood by the rest of her posts, including one in which Kirk claimed that Black Americans had been "better" under Jim Crow.
Leader stated, "I never encouraged violence in any way." "I was sharing the evidence."
Jordan Chamberlain is a former employee of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. She shared screenshots from several posts by Leader and asked her university if they approved the content. Libs from TikTok posted Leader's faculty photo. The president of the university announced that she was placed on administrative leave. The university's president announced that she had been placed on administrative leave.
menacing messages followed
The caller stated in a voicemail that was reviewed by us: "We are coming to get you." Karen Leader, you know where to find us. As soon as we know your address, we'll come to you. Leader hasn't left her apartment in years.
According to a police document, she reported the threats made to Boca Raton Police, who referred the matter to campus police officers. Florida Atlantic University Police said that their report couldn't be released due to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Florida Atlantic University confirmed that Leader was among three academics on leave while investigations were underway. The university declined to comment further. Chamberlain did not return an email asking for comment.
Leader replied, "I don't really know if my career has ended or not." But my life has changed." Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington, Jana Winter and Courtney Rozen, in Los Angeles, and Isaac Vargas, in Washington. Jason Szep, Linda So and Jason Szep edited the story.
(source: Reuters)