Judge rules in favor of Iowa teacher fired for Charlie Kirk comments

[progressoid]

Other Iowans are still litigating their firings over online comments



Jana Aldrich of Council Bluffs was a special education teacher who last year worked for the Omaha-based Child Saving Institute, a nonprofit with a mission of helping children with behavioral, mental and social needs.

According to state records, on Sept. 10, 2025, shortly after conservative activist Kirk was shot and killed in Utah, Aldrich posted a comment to Facebook. The post included a widely circulating meme that included Kirk’s April 3, 2023, statement in response to a question about gun deaths: “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.” Above the meme, Aldrich added a comment of her own: “He was wrong…it’s not worth it! I won’t miss him!!!”

...snip...

CSI subsequently determined Aldrich’s post violated the organization’s social media policies in that they exhibited a lack of empathy and humanity, which directly contradicts the organization’s core mission and values.

Aldrich disputed those findings, arguing that her post showed empathy and humanity by stating Kirk’s rhetoric on gun deaths was wrong and that suggesting that no deaths — including Kirk’s — are worth the protections granted under the Second Amendment.

...

The matter recently went to a hearing before Administrative Law Judge Jasmina Sarajlija, who ruled in Aldrich’s favor and awarded her benefits, finding there was no evidence her off-duty conduct was connected to her work.

...more...https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/03/02/judge-rules-in-favor-of-iowa-teacher-fired-for-charlie-kirk-comments/

[OldBaldy1701E]

1. "...in that they exhibited a lack of empathy and humanity..."

That post is all about empathy and humanity!

These people (and I use the term very loosely)...

[wolfie001]

3. That fat-headed pig was a racist POS

Any fan of his is an enemy of mine. Also, I'm glad the pig's 6 feet under. 💯

[erronis]

6. "These people" misuse words as part of their offense.

Newspeak, propaganda. Snide comments, Willy Horton, mislabeling, "liberals" as a derogatory, on and on.

They have no positive messages but prefer to destroy others.

[OGBuzz]

2. I see nothing wrong with what she posted. I don't miss him either.

[calimary]

5. This!

Totally AND absolutely!

[mdbl]

4. He wasn't worth defending

I am glad the judge had some common sense.

[progressoid]

7. And this: None of the 12 complainants had children attending CSI or any direct involvement with the organization.

According to information CSI later provided at a hearing, two of the complainants were out-of-state residents and none of the 12 had children attending CSI or had any other direct involvement with the organization. Some of the complainants suggested they would attempt to jeopardize the organization’s funding if CSI didn’t terminate Aldrich’s employment.

[BigDemVoter]

8. Did they even bother to quote what the Kirk Pig had to say about different minorities?