Tenured University of South Dakota art professor Michael Hook, who faced termination for social media comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has been reinstated after dropping his lawsuit. Hook posted remarks on September 10 calling Kirk a "hate-spreading Nazi" after the activist was shot dead, then apologized and deleted the post. South Dakota political leaders including Governor Larry Rhoden called for his firing, and USD placed Hook on administrative leave on September 12. Hook sued the university and the South Dakota Board of Regents on September 23, arguing his comments were protected by the First Amendment. Students organized a petition with nearly 22,000 signatures supporting his reinstatement. On October 3, USD president Sheila Gestring withdrew the termination notice, citing Hook's apology and employment record. Hook then dismissed the lawsuit as moot.
This case matters because it tests the boundaries of academic freedom and First Amendment protections for public university faculty when they express controversial political opinions on social media. Hook's reinstatement signals that public institutions may face legal consequences for punishing speech about public figures, even when that speech is widely condemned. The incident also highlights a broader national trend: educators across the country have faced discipline or termination for comments about Kirk's murder, with lawsuits filed by a high school art teacher in Iowa, a teacher's aide in South Carolina, and a Ball State University employee. The outcome could influence how universities balance free expression with professional responsibilities in an increasingly polarized climate.