SC lawmaker ‘extremely disappointed’ with university leadership
A South Carolina state lawmaker criticized leadership at the state’s public universities in the wake of the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Some employees were fired for criticizing Kirk, while others stayed silent in fear of retaliation.
“I’m concerned about academic freedom, I’m concerned on infringing on people’s rights and I have been extremely disappointed in the leadership of our higher ed institutions for bowing, in my opinion, to political pressure,” Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, said Thursday.
Cobb-Hunter made the comment at a meeting of the Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee, at which the University of South Carolina presented its budget requests for the next fiscal year.
“This is not for you as much as your board members,” said Cobb-Hunter to USC President Michael Amiridis. “Because I know as president, you are doing as directed.”
At least six USC board members were present at the meeting, including chairman Thad Westbrook, vice chair Rose Buyck Newton, Leah Moody, Alex English, Reid Sherard and Strom Thurmond Jr.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot to death at Utah Valley University in September 2025. It sent some educational institutions into a tailspin. Colleges quickly took action to reprimand staffers who commented on Kirk’s death. At least 50 faculty members across the country were disciplined in some way, according to Politico.
Clemson University bore the brunt of criticism in South Carolina, especially by Republican state lawmakers. Despite initial caution, the school eventually fired three employees over social media posts made on personal accounts. One of those, Joshua Bregy, sued. The lawsuit was recently settled.
But USC did not come away unscathed.
A part-time instructor at the college’s campus in Union was relieved of teaching duties following a comment on social media relating to Kirk’s killing.
Brandon Simpson, who was an adjunct professor and a disabilities coordinator, according to the university’s website, had commented under a news article about state Rep. Luke Rankin, R-Laurens, moving to rename a local road after Kirk. Simpson was subsequently criticized by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace.
Cobb-Hunter asked Amiridis about any fallout at the university relating to Kirk’s death. Amiridis did not comment.
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 3:44 PM.
