Overview

• Randi Weingarten’s book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, was previewed in Rolling Stone and released this week, describing book bans and curriculum control as hallmarks of authoritarian movements.
• Hillary Clinton promoted the book on X, prompting conservative criticism focused on its release shortly after Charlie Kirk’s killing.
• Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in Kirk’s assassination, saying shell casings bore anti-fascist messages including “Hey fascist, Catch!”.
• Weingarten deleted a post that misstated the suspect’s politics, condemned political violence, and issued a statement urging de-escalation while defending educators’ private speech rights.
• Reports cite teachers disciplined for social posts celebrating Kirk’s death, and critics are highlighting watchdog tallies of AFT and NEA political giving.