More than 600 Americans were fired or punished for posting about the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025. Now, some of those terminated are suing, claiming their right to free speech was violated.
Julie Strebe, a 55-year-old sheriff's deputy in Salem, Missouri, was fired after posting on Facebook: 'Empathy is not owed to oppressors.' She called Kirk a racist, sexist and antisemite. A website called 'Charlie Kirk's Murderers' collated names of alleged offenders, leading to complaints to employers.
Strebe says her posts were taken out of context. She had served as a deputy for 19 years and was six and a half years from retirement with a full pension. Her husband's business was also targeted, and they faced harassment outside their home.
A Reuters investigation in November 2025 estimated 600 people had been terminated, disciplined or investigated over Kirk posts. Some were called out for unkind reactions, others for quoting Kirk's own words on gun rights.
Strebe is now suing for wrongful termination. She says her superiors claimed she posted while on duty and had a history of controversial posts, but the only example cited was a 10-year-old post about roadwork. The Dent County sheriff's office declined to comment.
