Gov. Reynolds urged Iowa State employee firing over Charlie Kirk comments

DES MOINES — Days before Iowa’s Board of Regents met in closed session to discuss comments some university employees made on social media about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death, Gov. Kim Reynolds wrote a letter urging the regents to terminate “public employees who make public comments condoning the murder of a person expressing political views.”

“Families from across the nation have placed their trust in Iowa’s public universities. Trust that they and their staff will uphold the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism as they guide and educate students,” Reynolds said. “Recent social media commentary, allegedly written by an Iowa State University employee who professed Charlie Kirk ‘got what was coming’ when he was assassinated last week, and that she was ‘happy he was rotting in hell now’ is a total violation of that trust and raises serious concerns.”

The ISU employee accused of writing that — financial aid adviser Caitlyn Spencer — was fired a week later for violating the board’s Freedom of Expression policy and the Financial Aid Code of Conduct.

Although the regents’ free speech policy allows employees “to express personal opinions on their personal social media accounts, consistent with the First Amendment,” it also includes a clause restricting harmful posts.

“Under certain circumstances, the university may be obligated to act to prevent harm to the university, our campus community, and its mission,” according to the policy.

In firing Spencer, the university cited that clause.

“Iowa State University has determined that your conduct and continued employment has caused, and is reasonably likely to continue to cause, significant disruption, harm, and adverse impact to the efficient and effective operations of the university,” ISU President Wendy Wintersteen wrote in the termination letter. “Accordingly, effective Sept. 23, 2025, your employment with Iowa State University is terminated.”

The firing came a week after the Board of Regents discussed the social media post in closed session on Sept. 17 — just two days after receiving the governor’s letter.

In demanding action from the regents, Reynolds cited the universities’ progress in creating campuses that encourage civil discourse and debate.

“But university employees publicly condoning or glorifying violence severely undermines that work and erodes confidence in Iowa’s regent institutions.”

‘All federal funding is pulled’

Reynolds wasn’t the only person to email the board demanding action against Spencer, according to emails obtained by The Gazette through a public records request.

Members of the public threatened to pull donations and other forms of support.

“Both our children are high academic achievers and planned to attend Iowa State after high school,” one person wrote two days after Kirk’s assassination and Spencer’s post. “I think today after hearing about university staff comments on social media, this decision is uncertain.”

Another person four days after the shooting emailed the regents to say, “A group of us will ensure all federal funding is pulled for this institution. We the American people are no longer putting up with this crap.”

Not all the emails received by the board about employee posts following Kirk’s killing demanded termination.

One person asked the board to “please allow the heat of the past few days’ emotions to cool and to not reflexively bow down to the angry internet mobs,” that person wrote. “Extend grace to all our teachers and especially those targeted during this trying time when everyone’s emotions are high and political forces seek to promote further division in our communities. Please do not punish any of them further at the risk of their lives as dedicated teachers who put themselves on the line for students every day.”

‘Dealt with accordingly’

Although Spencer wasn’t the only regent system employee to post about Kirk’s death, she’s the only one who’s been fired to date.

ISU associate professor of religious studies George Archer remains an Iowa State employee after writing, “Yeah sorry pretty sure we’re all OK with political violence. Every. One. Of. Us.”

He was among the 2025-2026 faculty recently promoted to associate professor with tenure.

Board of Regents President Sherry Bates — following the closed session on employee comments last week — ordered the universities to conduct immediate investigations into alleged policy violations, “to be completed within two weeks.”

Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, after Spencer’s firing, posted on X: “Assassination culture will not be tolerated on Iowa’s college campuses. Other university employees who advocate for violence against those of differing political views will be dealt with accordingly.”

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com