![Cole announced his suspension Tuesday night on his personal X account, writing that FAU had “violated [his] First Amendment rights” and left his reputation “grievously damaged.” He said he was suspended and banned from campus for responding to an anonymous post celebrating Kirk’s death. (Credit X)](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/49054344/34debff41b2bfccfb35f39f3594ceaf84a40d76a54874da5b70a153996958872)
Overview
- Florida Atlantic University confirmed finance professor Rebel Cole, art history professor Karen Leader, and English professor Kate Polak are on paid administrative leave while investigations proceed.
- Karen Leader, speaking on camera for the first time, said she reposted critiques of Kirk’s politics rather than celebrating his death, deleted one inaccurate claim, and reported receiving death threats and doxxing.
- Rebel Cole said on X that FAU violated his First Amendment rights, that he was suspended and barred from campus, and that his “hunt you down” remark targeted anonymous accounts; he launched a legal-fundraiser seeking $500,000.
- Kate Polak told FAU’s student newspaper she was notified by email of leave after replies on Threads about Kirk and that the message did not specify which posts were at issue.
- FAU declined further comment beyond a statement emphasizing civil discourse, as national lawmakers from both parties weighed in on free speech and online extremism.