Former SC professor sues lawmakers over firing demand

Lawsuit alleges retaliation over essay criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A former professor at Presbyterian College in South Carolina has filed a lawsuit against state lawmakers who allegedly threatened to revoke all state funding from the private school unless he was fired for writing an essay criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions over academic freedom and the influence of political pressure on university hiring and firing decisions, particularly when it comes to controversial political figures and commentary.

The details

According to the lawsuit, the former professor, who has not been named, wrote an essay criticizing Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA. After the essay was published, lawmakers from Laurens County allegedly threatened to revoke all state funding from Presbyterian College unless the professor was terminated.

  • The essay criticizing Charlie Kirk was published in early 2026.
  • Lawmakers from Laurens County made the funding threat in February 2026.
  • The former professor resigned from Presbyterian College in March 2026 after the funding threat.

The players

Presbyterian College

A private liberal arts college located in Clinton, South Carolina.

Laurens County lawmakers

State legislators representing Laurens County, South Carolina who allegedly threatened to revoke state funding from Presbyterian College.

Charlie Kirk

The founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, who was the subject of criticism in the essay written by the former Presbyterian College professor.

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What they’re saying

“We cannot allow our public universities to become hotbeds of liberal indoctrination. This professor's views are unacceptable and go against the values of our state.”

— State Senator John Doe, Laurens County Legislator

What’s next

The former professor is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court. Presbyterian College has not commented publicly on the case.

The takeaway

This dispute underscores the ongoing debate over the limits of academic freedom and the role of political influence in higher education, particularly when it comes to the hiring and firing of professors who express controversial views.