'Govern yourselves accordingly': Florida threatens teachers who criticize Charlie Kirk

Donald Trump with Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk in Phoenix, Arizona on December 22, 2024 (Gage Skidmore)

A Thursday email from Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas to public school superintendents in the Sunshine State appears to contain a threat to teachers who publicly express negative opinions about deceased far-right activist Charlie Kirk.

According to the email — which AlterNet received from a Florida educator and was later shared by Politico — Kamoutsas said teachers who post "despicable comments on social media regarding the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk" could be subjected to an "investigation."

"These few are not a reflection of the great, high-quality teachers who make up a vast majority of Florida's educators," the email read. "Nevertheless, I will be conducting an investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior." Kamoutsas said teachers could be held accountable under "Rule 6A-10.081, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida" and that he may "find probable cause to sanction an educator's certificate."

"Although educators have First Amendment rights, these rights do not extend without limit into their professional duties," Kamoutsas' email read. "An educator's personal views that are made public may undermine the trust of the students and families that they serve."

The rule Kamoutsas cited suggests that any "investigation" he conducts into teachers could find them "guilty of personal conduct that seriously reduces that person's effectiveness as an employee of the district school board" if they were found to have posted negative opinions about Kirk on social media.

"I expect you to share this reminder with all school district employees," the email reads. "Together, we must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and keep Florida's classrooms places of safety and academic achievement for every student."

"Govern yourselves accordingly," Kamoutsas added.

AlterNet reached out to the Florida Department of Education and Commissioner Kamoutsas' office for comment.

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