IOWA — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot during a public event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 11, 2025. An investigation by Reuters found that more than 600 people were fired, suspended, or investigated for their statements about the shooting. All currently known resolved cases involving terminations for posts about Kirk involve people who worked in government or at public institutions.

Maria Ruhtenberg, an attorney with the Iowa Office of the State Public Defender, was fired in September 2025 for comments she posted on Facebook after the shooting. Her posts, visible only to her friends, included phrases such as "live by the sword, die by the sword" and "you reap what you sow." She also stated that she disagreed with Kirk's views on the Second Amendment and wrote, "whoever shot [Kirk] should go to prison." One person complained to her employer about these posts, and a right-wing outlet sent an email seeking comment two days after the complaint. She was terminated less than five days after her initial post, after working as a public defender for 15 years.

Ruhtenberg appealed her termination with the state of Iowa and was reinstated to her job in November 2025. State Public Defender Jeff Wright testified during appeals proceedings that Ruhtenberg was fired because her posts were perceived as condoning violence. Ruhtenberg then sued the state of Iowa and Wright in federal court for First Amendment retaliation. She settled her lawsuit in May 2026, receiving $125,000 in damages. Ruhtenberg stated, "I don't even know how we became Facebook friends, honestly."

Other individuals also faced consequences for their social media activity. Melissa Crook, a high school teacher in Iowa, was fired after commenting on a family member's Facebook post. She later settled with the Creston Community School District for $145,000 and full benefits, leaving the district as part of the agreement. Suzanne Swierc, a health educator at Ball State University in Indiana, was fired for a Facebook post. She settled with Ball State University for $225,000 and subsequently left the university.

Brittney Brown, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was fired after reposting content from a satirical account following Kirk's death. Her termination occurred a day after the account Libs of TikTok noted her and called for her firing. Brown settled with the state of Florida for $485,000 and left the commission as part of her settlement. Darren Michael, a tenured professor at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, was fired after posting a news story from 2023. He later regained his job and received a $500,000 settlement.

Larry Bushart, a retired law enforcement officer in Tennessee, was detained for 37 days by the Perry County sheriff's department. He was held on a $2 million bond, with the department claiming a meme he posted caused "mass hysteria." Bushart's meme quoted then-President Donald Trump reacting to a 2024 school shooting. Following his release, Bushart received an $835,000 settlement. An art professor at the University of South Dakota was fired for posting about Kirk's death but was swiftly reinstated without damages. Similarly, a professor from Clemson University was terminated for a post but had the termination rescinded; the professor did not disclose the amount or existence of damages due to confidential settlement terms.