After the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a Texas State student was expelled for taunting mourners. Governor Greg Abbott said, "expel this student immediately. Mocking assassination must have consequences," according to Click2Houston. Texas State University's President said the school "will not tolerate behavior that mocks, trivializes, or promotes violence." First Amendment expert Eugene Volokh said, "Mocking assassination is protected by the First Amendment." The expulsion shows a change in Texas, where recent laws give governor-appointed university regents more control over curriculum and the removal of professors.
New laws in Texas now limit protests on university campuses. They prohibit the use of amplification devices during class and restrict expressive activities at night. FIRE has challenged the law, saying it could punish harmless activities and reduces previous free speech protections. As Steinbaugh said, "It's human nature to say, I don't like this speech, let's find a way to stop it," as reported by The Texas Tribune.
Following Kirk's death, Abbott called for a "dramatic course correction" on campus discourse, and Texas leaders formed committees to review the issue. Questions have arisen about university disciplinary actions for controversial speech, since they may conflict with First Amendment rights. Yale law professor Keith Whittington said a school's code of conduct is secondary to constitutional protections, as mentioned by The Texas Tribune. Experts noted, "And there is no exception to the First Amendment for praise of violence," in discussions about campus speech. The debate over free speech in educational institutions continues.
