More than 600 people were fired, suspended, or otherwise disciplined for social media posts about the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, according to a Reuters investigation. Many of those affected are now pursuing legal action, claiming their right to free speech was violated.
Among them is Julie Strebe, a 55-year-old sheriff's deputy from Salem, Missouri. She was fired after posting on Facebook that 'empathy is not owed to oppressors' following Kirk's death in September 2025. Strebe's posts also called Kirk a racist, sexist, and antisemite. Her employer cited the posts as a violation of policy, but Strebe argues she was targeted due to public pressure.
Kirk's supporters used a website called 'Charlie Kirk's Murderers' to compile names and personal information of those who made negative comments. This led to a wave of complaints to employers, resulting in what Reuters described as an 'ideological purge'. Strebe's husband's business was also targeted, and the family faced harassment, including a truck parked outside their home with a sign accusing Strebe of supporting assassination.
Strebe says she was suspended and then fired, with superiors claiming she made the posts while on duty and failed to disclaim personal opinion. She denies this, noting the only prior example of controversial posts cited was a decade-old complaint about roadwork. The Dent County Sheriff's Office declined to comment, citing legal restrictions.
Strebe, who had served for 19 years, says she lost her pension and is now moving away. 'This is everything I’ve ever done in my adult life, and they took it from me,' she said. The group of affected individuals is seeking justice, arguing their free speech rights were infringed.
