Over 100 Texas Teachers Face Suspension For Inciting Violence After Charlie Kirk Assassination, Governor Says

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is investigating over 100 educators who “called for or incite violence” online after conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

The move follows a Friday letter from Education Commissioner Mike Morath telling superintendents TEA is reviewing posts it called “reprehensible or inappropriate” and routing potential violations of the Educators’ Code of Ethics to the agency’s Educator Investigations Division. (RELATED: Nurse Reinstated Following Suspension For Calling Out Doctor Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk’s Death)

“Those educators — more than 100 — will ‘have their teacher certification suspended and be ineligible to teach in a Texas public school,’” Abbott posted on X.

The Texas Education Agency is investigating Texas teachers whose actions called for or incite violence following the Charlie Kirk assassination.

Those educators—more than 100–will “have their teacher certification suspended and be ineligible to teach in a Texas public school.” https://t.co/WKXt9H1G4c

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 15, 2025

Morath said free speech “does not give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives,” adding each case will be reviewed individually and districts should submit incidents through TEA’s misconduct portal.

Cameron Abrams of The Texan reported TEA has received “approximately 180 complaints” tied to educators’ social media activity following Kirk’s killing.

Update: the @teainfo has received approximately 180 complaints related to the letter sent out last week asking for reports of “reprehensible” content/shared posts by educators after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

New from Commissioner Morath:

“While all educators are held… https://t.co/z8Kt4oaE2B

— Cameron Abrams (@CameronSAbrams) September 15, 2025

Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on suspicion of killing Kirk.

Texas AFT blasted the state’s actions as a “political witch hunt” against educators for speech outside work, according to a Saturday statement reported by The Dallas Morning News.

Neither Abbott’s post nor TEA’s letter listed the educators under review. TEA said potential sanctions include certificate suspension and other discipline if investigators find violations of state ethics rules, according to CBS News.