Settlement Reached for Fired Professor at Clemson University
A former professor at Clemson University has settled with the institution after being terminated for social media remarks regarding Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA. Dr. Joshua Breggie, who worked as an assistant professor in Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at the University of South Carolina, lost his job on September 26, 2025, following a Facebook post that referenced Kirk’s murder.
The ACLU of South Carolina issued a statement that condemned the violence mentioned in the post but suggested Kirk was facing “karma” for his “callous” remarks. Breggie’s post included a comment that while he didn’t advocate for violence, it appeared that “karma can sometimes be quick and cynical.” He also noted that Kirk was “a flawed human being whose comments caused significant harm.” It’s a complex situation, isn’t it? Balancing free speech against the consequences of one’s words can be so tricky.
Last week, an agreement was finalized and made public on Thursday, leading Breggie to withdraw his lawsuit against Clemson and its officials. As part of the settlement, Clemson will reverse Breggie’s termination, although he will resign by May 15, 2026. Until that time, he will remain on payroll with benefits, but won’t be involved with teaching or students.
This settlement allows Breggie to continue referring to Clemson University on any forthcoming grants until his resignation in 2026. Additionally, Clemson Governor Robert H. Jones will provide positive references for Breggie to potential employers.
Breggie expressed gratitude for the resolution, stating that it was a victory for academic freedom. His attorney, Allen Cheney from the ACLU of South Carolina, noted the importance of upholding faculty rights to free speech in the future.
Interestingly, this development coincides with another settlement involving a Tennessee professor, Darren Michael, who received $500,000 after being fired for a similar post about Kirk’s comments on gun violence. It seems like a wave of such cases is coming to light.
In the wake of Kirk’s death, many in higher education took to social media, with some appearing to justify or celebrate the incident, which drew intense backlash from Republican lawmakers and conservative groups. Clemson University has yet to comment on the matter.
