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yesterday

Texas AFT Sues Texas Education Agency Over Probes Into Teachers’ Charlie Kirk Posts

The union asks a federal judge to halt investigations tied to a September directive it labels vague and unconstitutional.

Educators gather to rally in support of the "Educator's Bill of Rights" at the outdoor rotunda in the Texas Capitol Monday, March 17, 2025. Teachers met with lawmakers as a part of Texas American Federation of Teachers advocacy day, asking for reforms such as a defined work day, reliable pensions and an increase in state funding to public schools.
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A photo of Charlie Kirk is displayed during the vigil following the killing of the conservative activist at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025 in Salt Lake City, UT.
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Overview

  • Texas AFT filed the federal complaint in Austin on Jan. 6, seeking to block TEA investigations stemming from Commissioner Mike Morath’s letter about educators’ social media comments after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
  • The suit requests an injunction, a court declaration that the policy is void, termination of related probes, and a new letter telling superintendents they need not report legally protected speech.
  • Morath’s September guidance urged superintendents to report “reprehensible” posts for potential educator-code violations, while he and Gov. Greg Abbott have said speech that calls for or incites violence is sanctionable.
  • TEA says it received 354 complaints and that 95 remained under review as of this week, with hundreds dismissed or unsubstantiated; the agency has not announced state-level discipline.
  • The filing cites unnamed cases in the Houston and San Antonio areas involving administrative leave, reprimands, terminations, and temporary placement on a statewide Do Not Hire list, as districts pursued their own actions.