Professor Sues Senator Over Alleged Role in His Firing

In a statement, Marsha Blackburn’s campaign manager said the senator hadn’t yet been served with the lawsuit.

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Austin Peay State University theater professor Darren Michael is suing Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, arguing she used her political power to have him fired for posting on social media about the late conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk.

Michael was one of dozens of faculty members disciplined or terminated last fall after posting about Kirk. Shortly after Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University, Michael posted a screenshot of a 2023 Newsweek headline that said, “Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths ‘Unfortunately’ Worth It To Keep 2nd Amendment.” Michael’s Facebook post was picked up and amplified by conservatives on X alongside calls for his termination. Among those who shared Michael’s post was Blackburn, who posted a screenshot of the post on X and wrote, “What do you say, @austinpeay?”

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