University of Michigan assistant professor Charles H.F. Davis stated on Thursday that the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is a “solution” to “violent rhetoric spewed by empowered people.”
Davis’ research broadly focuses on “racism, oppression, and structures of domination in U.S. higher education,” according to The Midwesterner. In addition to defending Kirk’s murder, Davis retweeted several posts that celebrated the assassination.
“Even if you believe violence isn’t the answer, it is a solution, especially to the violent conditions and violent rhetoric spewed by empowered people that create them,” Davis wrote, according to a screenshot provided by The Midwesterner.
A professor at the @UMich said the assassination of Charlie Kirk is a “solution” to “violent rhetoric.”
His tweets are private to the public, probably so that his employers don’t see it. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/DA1FRxHVYj
— Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) September 11, 2025
A professor at the Davis retweeted one X post that read, “Charlie Kirk is a reminder of two things: your words don’t skip consequences, they just collect interest. And lastly, empathy has boundaries. Good luck,” according to the outlet. Another post that he retweeted alleged that Kirk spent his career “disparaging immigrants disrespecting women, and blaming black folks.”
The assistant professor teaches an “anti-racism” course and another named “Power, Privilege, and the Politics of Difference in Higher Education,” according to the University of Michigan’s website. His X account is not public and he limits which users can view his posts.
The University of Michigan’s Office of Public Affairs said faculty members are allowed to “speak and debate issues of the day.”
“In accordance with the university’s Institutional Neutrality policy, the university does not take positions on matters not directly connected to university governance. Faculty members are free to speak and debate issues of the day; but, to be clear, those individual expressions do not represent the views of the university,” an official told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Members of the left-wing media and some Democrats have shifted blame onto President Donald Trump and Republicans for the rise in political violence. MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd for stating on Wednesday that Kirk’s own so-called “hate speech” and rhetoric led to his assassination, while CBS host Nate Burleson suggested that Republicans need to “reflect” on their rhetoric.
Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker blamed Trump for inciting political violence. Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton said many Republicans are “following the lead” of Trump by spewing violent rhetoric.
Middle Tennessee State University fired assistant dean Laura Sosh-Lightsy on Wednesday for writing on Facebook that she had “ZERO Sympathy” for Kirk’s assassination.
The assailant fired a bullet from a building 200 yards away from Utah Valley University’s campus, where Kirk held an event. Authorities have not yet caught him, though they have photographs and security footage that can help them identify him.
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