SC GOP lawmakers angry over Clemson not firing 2 professors for Kirk posts
Clemson University faced heat from Republican lawmakers and the college Republican group on its campus for not terminating two professors for their comments on social media about the Charlie Kirk assassination.
The outrage began when the Clemson College Republicans posted about Melvin Villaver Jr., an assistant professor of audio technology and global black studies, shared posts mocking Kirk in the hours after his death including a post that said. “According to Kirk, empathy is a made-up new age term, so keep the jokes coming. it’s what he would have wanted.”
Villaver even added “racism and white supremacy age you.”
The college Republicans also posted about Assistant professor Josh Bregy, who works in the environmental engineering and earth sciences department and previously posted about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Bregy shared a post that said Kirk’s assassination was karma for his outspoken conservative views.
“Clemson University unequivocally condemns any and all expressions that endorse, glorify or celebrate political violence. The deeply inappropriate remarks made on social media in response to the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk are reprehensible and do not reflect the University values and principles that define our University community,” the school said in an unsigned statement.
“We stand firmly on the principles of the U.S. Constitution, including the protection of free speech. However, that right does not extend to speech that incites harm or undermines the dignity of others. We will take appropriate action for speech that constitutes a genuine threat which is not protected by the Constitution.”
Clemson did not address the two professors employment status, but conservative lawmakers, including the hard-line S.C. House Freedom Caucus, said the professors were allowed to stay in their jobs.
“The SC legislature appoints six members of the 13 member board of trustees at Clemson. I think we need to know which board members didn’t want these leftist professors fired,” state Rep. Thomas Beach, R-Anderson, posted on X.
State law says it is unlawful for a person to “discharge a citizen from employment or occupation, ... because of political opinions or the exercise of political rights and privileges guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution and laws of the United States or by the Constitution and laws of this State.”
Several Freedom Caucus members even called for Clemson to be defunded.
“I remember when Clemson University rolled out the red carpet for BLM, showering them with praise, spouting unity, & following the same tired script we’ve seen across the country. It’s crystal clear where Clemson’s leadership takes its playbook: straight from the left’s agenda. Clemson belongs to the people of SC, NOT to progressive elites. It’s time to hold them accountable. Shut it down,” state Rep. April Cromer, R-Anderson, posted on X. State Sen. Wes Climer, R-York, who is running for Congress to succeed hard-line conservative U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in the 5th Congressional District, said he looked forward to seeing “(Clemson) in your coming budget hearings.”
Taking state money away from Clemson, which was allocated $219 million in annual money in the current year budget, may be difficult.
Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler is a Clemson University graduate and has been a proponent of making sure the school receives dollars through the state budget.
Clemson did have some defenders on social media.
“It is a lot of people being fired, condemned and intimidated for the same ‘free speech’ Charlie Kirk exhibited. I will never understand selective justice or outrage,” state Rep. Hamilton Grant, D-Richland, posted on X. “And while I’m at it, targeting Clemson University for an employee using their constitutional right of free speech is hypocritical. I’ve watched for days people talk about colleges being about free thought. I guess that’s not the case when it’s something you disagree with.”
This story was originally published September 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
