More than 600 people across the United States were terminated, disciplined, or investigated for social media comments following the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025, according to a Reuters investigation. Many of those affected are now pursuing legal action, claiming their right to free speech was violated.
One such individual is Julie Strebe, a 55-year-old sheriff’s deputy from Salem, Missouri, who was fired from her job after posting on her personal Facebook page: “Empathy is not owed to oppressors.” In subsequent comments, she called Kirk a racist, sexist, and antisemite. The post sparked a backlash, with locals demanding her termination and even targeting her husband’s business and her son with homophobic slurs.
Strebe, who had served as a deputy for 19 years, was suspended and later dismissed. She claims her superiors cited that she made the posts while on the clock and failed to disclaim them as personal opinions. The Dent County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment, citing legal restrictions. Strebe stated, “This is everything I’ve ever done in my adult life. And they took it from me.”
A website titled “Charlie Kirk’s Murderers” collated names and personal information of those who posted negative reactions to Kirk’s death, aiding calls for professional repercussions. The site has since been taken down. Many affected individuals, like Strebe, have reported harassment and threats, leading some to relocate.
The mass firings have been compared to an ideological purge. Strebe and others are now seeking justice, with lawsuits claiming their employers bowed to mob pressure rather than upholding fair treatment.
