Former Iowa educator sues after firing over Charlie Kirk Facebook post

A former Knoxville Community School District special education employee has filed a lawsuit after she allegedly was fired for a social media post she wrote after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Stacey Sumpter, a former special education employee, filed a lawsuit against the Knoxville Community School District and its principal, Cassi Pearson, after she was fired on September 12, 2025.

While off-duty on September 10, 2025, the day Kirk was assassinated, Sumpter wrote a post on his personal Facebook account that drew the ire of community members.

“Normally I would say Auf wider sehen; but since that technically means ‘until I see you again’… So I say goodbye to you because I never want to see you again,” he wrote. complaint. The comment was made in response to a photo with a list titled “Things to remember about Charlie Kirk” followed by allegations against the slain activist.

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His lawyers argue that although the assassination made headlines and was the subject of widespread debate, Sumpter’s statement was “a personal and private expression of his point of view.” They added that his comment “did not threaten anyone, did not encourage imminent unlawful action or violence, and was not directed at any member of the school community or the wider community.” They also noted that the post did not mention where Sumpter worked and that it did not tie him to the school because it did not occur during work hours or in the classroom and was not done through school resources.

The complaint alleges that on September 11, 2025, “community members contacted the district requesting penalties for the content of Ms. Sumpter’s speech.” The former educator’s lawyers noted that he went to work as usual that day and this post was not mentioned.

That day, according to the complaint, “Principal Jory Houser called Ms. Sumpter into his office during lunch and informed her that the District had received complaints regarding the viewpoint expressed in her post.” While his lawyers said he “finished the school day uninterrupted,” Sumpter allegedly received a call from Houser that evening informing him that he was suspended while the district “investigated” the situation. Sumpter was informed the next morning that he had been fired.

A supporter attends a memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University, outside Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 19, 2025.

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According to the complaint, Pearson wrote a letter to Sumpter informing him that “the language used in the post was not respectful and incited hatred” and that his employment with the district was “immediately terminated” because of the Facebook post.

Sumpter’s attorneys say he has been denied due process promised in district policies since his firing. The former educator was allegedly not informed of his termination or the opportunity to defend himself.

“Defendants turned a moment of public debate into an employment crisis for Ms. Sumpter. Rather than respecting her right as a citizen to comment on political events in the best public interest or even her right to due process to present her side of the story, they chose to silence and punish her,” the complaint said.

A tribute to Charlie Kirk is shown on the Jumbotron before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Wade Payne/AP)

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Sumpter’s lawyers say the district violated not only its own policies but also the Constitution. They argue that Sumpter’s firing for speaking as a private citizen and not as part of his duties at the school was a violation of his First Amendment rights.

Sumpter is not the first Iowa educator to file a lawsuit after being fired for comments about Kirk.

A fired teacher from Oskaloosa and a furloughed teacher from Creston also filed lawsuits against their districts. Des Moines Registration. The outlet said the Creston teacher on leave expects to be fired.

Former Oskaloosa teacher Mattew Kargol filed a lawsuit after he was fired for posting “1 Nazi Fall” following Kirk’s assassination. Complaint published by Oskaloosa Newsdescribes the comment as “rhetorical exaggeration about a widely reported public event.”

In October, Creston teacher Melisa Crook sued her district after she was placed on leave for an assignment in which she called Kirk “a terrible person,” according to The Des Moines Register. “I don’t want anyone to die, but it’s a blessing that he’s not here,” he said. Crook later clarified that he did not condone violence.

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A judge later approved his request to block his termination from the district. However, the Des Moines Register noted that the court has not yet issued a longer-term injunction.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Sumpter’s attorneys and Pearson for comment.