Liberal professors' group backs faculty speech after Charlie Kirk assassination, silent on condemning attack

"The AAUP notes with great alarm the rash of recent administrative actions to discipline faculty, staff, and student speech in the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk," the AAUP wrote in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "We write to remind leaders of colleges and universities of their fundamental duty to protect academic freedom and the absolute necessity to ensure that the freedom to discuss topics of public import without constraint is not curtailed under political pressure."

"At a moment when higher education is threatened by forces that seek to destroy it and its role in a democratic society, the anticipatory obedience shown by this rush to judgment must be avoided," it continued.

Prior to that statement Monday, the AAUP only released a statement last week condemning "the recent and recurring bomb and terroristic threats against multiple historically Black colleges and universities," but no separate statement condemning Kirk's assassination. The AAUP has 44,000 members, according to its website.

Faculty were also encouraged to hold administrators accountable for bringing Kirk or TPUSA events to campus through petitions, votes of no confidence and pressuring donors. Professors were advised to add syllabus language or push for campus policies restricting unauthorized classroom filming, as TPUSA-affiliated students have recorded left-wing professors and submit their names to the organization's Professor Watchlist. 

When asked by Fox News Digital whether it stands by its past descriptions of Kirk and TPUSA - and how it balances support for faculty with the principles of academic freedom and free speech for groups it opposes - the AAUP said: "Colleges and universities should exercise restraint and not interfere with legitimate invitations to outside speakers, except in the most extraordinary circumstances where strong evidence of imminent danger justifies rescinding an invitation."

The AAUP did not answer a follow-up question about whether TPUSA and Kirk fall under the "extraordinary circumstances" where "danger" justifies revoking an invitation to college campuses.

FBI Director Kash Patel said people who know primary suspect Tyler Robinson, including family members, have told investigators that Robinson "subscribed to left-wing ideology." Family members also allege Robinson expressed hatred for Kirk's views.

Since Kirk's assassination on Sept. 10 on his "American Comeback Tour," multiple higher education educators and administrators have been investigated, suspended or fired for social-media posts celebrating or justifying his death. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Education for comment.