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### Academic Backlash and Debate After the Assassination of Charlie Kirk
The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and the co-founder of Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University has ignited a fierce debate in American academia and the broader public. The event has not only shocked Kirk’s supporters but also prompted a wave of online commentary, especially among university professors and academics across the country. While some have condemned the violence unequivocally, others have used the moment to revisit longstanding criticisms of Kirk and the political culture he represented.
#### Attorney General Pam Bondi Calls for Caution
In the wake of the assassination, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a warning against inciting political violence, emphasizing the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric in an already polarized climate. This call for restraint comes as online discussions intensify, with some voices appearing to justify or downplay the seriousness of political violence, depending on the target.
Legal scholars and commentators, such as George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley, have weighed in on the issue, noting the importance of maintaining civil discourse and resisting the temptation to demonize political opponents to the point where violence becomes normalized or excused.
#### Professors Respond: Criticism, Condemnation, and Calls for Context
The assassination has drawn sharp responses from academics around the nation, many of whom have taken to social media platforms like Bluesky to express their views on both Kirk’s legacy and the broader implications of his death.
One such academic is Matthew Reznicek, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. Reznicek argued that Kirk was responsible for fostering a political environment in which professors themselves became targets of violence and harassment. In a post on September 13, Reznicek stated, "Professors were subject to political violence because of Kirk and the culture he ushered in, the culture that is being whitewashed." Reznicek’s comments were in response to an opinion piece by Ezra Klein in The New York Times titled, "Charlie Kirk Was Practicing Politics the Right Way," which suggested that Kirk’s brand of activism, while controversial, was within the bounds of healthy democratic debate.
However, Reznicek rejected any attempt to memorialize Kirk as a principled debater, stating, "The thing about memorializing Kirk as the Socrates of our era, willing to debate me bro anywhere anytime, is how he was also a know-nothing." This sentiment reflects a broader skepticism among some academics about elevating Kirk’s status after his death.
#### The "Professor Watchlist" and Allegations of Harassment
Another prominent voice is Chris Lamb, a journalism professor emeritus at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Lamb, who is listed on Turning Point USA’s "Professor Watchlist"—a public database highlighting professors the group deems radical—claimed that the list led to harassment, threats, and even physical assaults against academics. "I know professors who were harassed and threatened after appearing on the list. Others were physically assaulted," Lamb said on Bluesky, though he declined to provide specific evidence, citing concerns for the safety of those affected.
When pressed by Fox News Digital, Lamb pointed to the documentary "Surviving Turning Point USA," which explores the impact of the watchlist and features interviews with several professors. In the film, Lamb calls Turning Point "the Hitler youth," reflecting the level of animosity some academics feel toward the organization. However, the documentary does not provide concrete evidence that the watchlist directly resulted in violence, and one professor featured in the film admitted not knowing she was on the list until contacted by the filmmaker.
The documentary also covers the case of Ken Storey, a former University of Tampa professor who was fired in 2017 after he made controversial social media posts about Hurricane Harvey and its impact on Texas. Storey's comments, which appeared to celebrate the devastation as "karma" for GOP voters, were amplified by Turning Point and the national media, leading to his dismissal and a series of threatening voicemails.
Lamb, in his comments to Fox News Digital, reiterated his disdain for Kirk, calling him "a bigot who perpetuated bogus conspiracies" and "exploited the politics of hate and division." However, Lamb also acknowledged that Kirk’s willingness to