South Carolina Senator Proposes ‘Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’

Florence, South Carolina, September 19, 2025

News Summary

Senator Mike Reichenbach plans to introduce the ‘Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’ in January, aiming to combat violence on campuses by enabling the termination of staff who condone or promote violence. This legislation follows outrage from social media comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, leading to disciplinary actions at several South Carolina institutions. While the act seeks to establish a clear code of conduct for educational staff, concerns about implications for free speech have been raised by some lawmakers.

Florence, South Carolina — South Carolina Senator Mike Reichenbach, a Republican from Florence County, is set to introduce the “Remembering Charlie Kirk Act” when the legislative session resumes in January. This proposed legislation aims to empower public colleges and universities to terminate staff who either condone or promote violence on campuses, following the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10.

The introduction of this act comes in response to a wave of outrage among politicians and the public following the comments made by certain employees at South Carolina public institutions after Kirk’s death. These comments, shared on social media, were perceived as inappropriate and disrespectful, fueling a backlash that led several institutions—including the Greenville County School District, Clemson University, and Coastal Carolina University—to take disciplinary action against employees. Suspensions and terminations ensued in response to their social media posts regarding Kirk’s assassination.

Senator Reichenbach has expressed concern over what he describes as an unsettling societal climate marked by increasing political violence. He asserts the necessity of adopting a clear standard of conduct for educational personnel. The proposed legislation would establish a code of conduct for personnel in educational institutions, allowing for their removal if they violate this standard. Furthermore, the act would provide civil immunity to institutions that terminate staff in compliance with these provisions. Institutions failing to adhere to the act would risk facing suspension or loss of state funding.

This legislative proposal is underscored by reflections on the current environment of political discourse, which Reichenbach addresses with a call for measured responses to inappropriate comments made within educational settings. In light of this, Clemson University has already suspended three employees following an investigation into their online reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Although the proposed act has garnered significant attention, it also raises concerns, particularly from Democratic Senator Ronnie Sabb, who questions the implications for free speech, particularly in academic environments, along with the provision for granting civil immunity to colleges under the potential law.

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and co-founder of the advocacy group Turning Point USA, was killed in what has been labeled a political assassination. The alleged perpetrator, Tyler Robinson, was said to harbor anti-Kirk sentiments. Kirk is survived by his wife and two children, marking a tragic event in the context of escalating political tension and violence in the nation.

Summary of the “Remembering Charlie Kirk Act”

• Introduced by Senator Mike Reichenbach aimed to combat violence on campuses.
• Facilitates termination of staff who condone or promote violence.
• Follows controversy surrounding social media reactions to Kirk’s assassination.
• Establishes a clear code of conduct for educational staff.
• Institutions face penalties for non-compliance, including loss of state funding.
• Concerns raised about implications for free speech.

Recent Actions by Educational Institutions

In response to the widespread outcry following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, several South Carolina public institutions have taken significant steps to address employee conduct on social media. Clemson University has suspended three employees after investigating their online comments concerning Kirk’s death, reflecting a commitment to upholding professional standards and addressing public concerns related to campus safety and decency.

Political Context

The backdrop of this legislative push highlights the broader issues of political violence and discourse, which have increasingly permeated American society. As such events cast long shadows over campuses and communities alike, the “Remembering Charlie Kirk Act” represents a potential shift in how educational institutions handle issues related to hate speech, violence, and staff behavior in the digital arena.

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the ‘Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The ‘Remembering Charlie Kirk Act’ is proposed legislation aimed at allowing public colleges and universities in South Carolina to terminate staff who condone or promote violence.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Why was this act proposed?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The act is a response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk and subsequent reactions from educators on social media that were deemed inappropriate.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What will happen to institutions that do not comply with the act?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Institutions that fail to comply with the act could face suspension or loss of state funding.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What concerns have been raised about the act?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Concerns include implications for free speech and the potential granting of civil immunity to colleges under the proposed law.”
}
}
]
}

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Memorial Service Held for Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk
Comedy Central Pulls South Park Episode After Kirk’s Death
Starbucks Addresses Policy After Viral TikTok Incident
Controversy Erupts Over Kimmel’s Suspension Following Political Comments
Shooting Incident in Florence County Connected to Drug Deal
Controversial Editorial on Political Discourse Sparks Outrage
Tyler Robinson Faces Serious Charges in Court Hearing
California Men’s Service Challenge: A Step Towards Healing
Senate Approves Trump’s Federal Reserve Appointment Amid TikTok Uncertainty
Conservatives Debate Cancel Culture Amid Political Violence

Additional Resources

• Spectrum Local News
• WTOC
• WMBF News
• WRDW
• Google Search: Remembering Charlie Kirk Act
• Wikipedia: Political Violence in the United States

Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER

FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.