US EditionJudge Orders USD Professor to Return to Classroom
Judge Karen Schreier ruled that USD failed to prove workplace disruption caused by Professor Hook’s Facebook post, protecting his First Amendment rights and ordering reinstatement.
- On September 26, 2025, a federal judge ruled that the University of South Dakota must reinstate Michael Hook, a tenured faculty member in the art department, following his suspension over a Facebook post concerning Charlie Kirk's death.
- Hook was placed on administrative leave after posting on September 10 that Kirk was a 'hate spreading Nazi' and questioned the lack of outrage over Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman's shooting, sparking backlash and calls for his removal.
- Judge Karen Schreier ruled that Hook spoke as a private citizen on a matter of public concern and that the university failed to prove his speech adversely affected its operations, granting a temporary restraining order against his termination until a hearing on October 8.
- The court determined that Hook’s speech played a significant role in the adverse employment measures taken against him and that the modification of his employment conditions could discourage him from engaging in protected First Amendment activities, thereby providing him a reasonable opportunity to succeed in his legal challenge.
- The ruling highlights ongoing debates over free speech protections for public university employees amid heightened political tensions, with the university and Board of Regents receiving hundreds of calls demanding Hook's firing, and other educators facing similar disciplinary actions.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Judge Reinstates Fired Professor Who Called Charlie Kirk a Nazi
A federal judge has ordered the reinstatement of a professor dismissed for writing on social media that he has “no thoughts and prayers” for assassinated conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, whom he called a “hate spreading Nazi.” U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier issued the ruling on Sept. 24, granting Phillip Michael Hook’s request for a temporary restraining order and directing the University of South Dakota to reinstate Hook to his tenure…
Court Order Reinstates S.D. Prof Fired for Kirk Comments
A South Dakota district court judge ordered the University of South Dakota on Wednesday to reinstate Michael Hook, a tenured professor of art who was put on leave with an “intent to terminate” after he posted comments on his personal Facebook page about Charlie Kirk.
Clinton Judge Orders Reinstatement of University of South Dakota Professor Suspended For Celebrating Assassination of Charlie Kirk and Calling Him a "Nazi"
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the reinstatement of a University of South Dakota professor who was suspended for celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
A professor at the University of South Dakota wins the first legal battle for a free speech lawsuit after criticizing Charlie Kirk
Judge orders reinstatement of professor suspended over Charlie Kirk comments
A federal Judge temporarily reinstated a University of South Dakota art professor on Wednesday after the school placed him on administrative leave following a negative social media post about Charlie Kirk. The professor referred to Kirk as a “hate-spreading Nazi” the same day the conservative activist was assassinated on a Utah college campus. The judge ordered the school to halt all efforts to fire professor Phillip Michael Hook, according to c…
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