COEUR d’ALENE — A North Idaho College instructor accused of making insensitive remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is on administrative leave while NIC fields “threatening” messages sparked by the instructor’s alleged comments.
Administrators learned of the allegations on Friday and launched an investigation into the instructor’s social media post the same day, according to NIC. The college has not publicly identified the instructor.
Since word of the alleged remarks began circulating online, the college has been inundated with responses from the public.
“In light of escalating tensions and potential threats and to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff, we are placing the instructor involved in a recent social media posting on administrative leave immediately,” said a bulletin sent to the college community on Saturday.
The bulletin noted that the instructor would not be on campus.
“We have received emails and voicemails that are of a threatening nature,” Tom Greene, Interim Chief Communications and Government Relations Officer, said Monday. “None of these has crossed the line into being criminal, that I’m aware of. All communications like this have been sent to law enforcement.”
The Press reviewed one message sent to multiple NIC email addresses. The email, which was sent Saturday evening, included a link to a public Facebook post from a local blogger, which urged people to contact NIC about the instructor and included the instructor’s work contact information and class schedule. The email writer made references to violence against the instructor.
Greene said NIC has increased security and law enforcement presence on campus as a precautionary measure.
“On-campus safety is our No. 1 priority,” he said.
NIC trustees met in executive Monday night for a special meeting to discuss the impact of the instructor’s alleged social media post on the college community, according to the meeting agenda.
In a statement published Friday, administrators expressed condolences following Kirk’s death and announced that an investigation was underway.
“We want to assure our community that this matter is a priority and we are treating it with the utmost importance,” the statement said. “At North Idaho College, we remain committed to fostering an environment where ideas can be shared openly, safely, and respectfully — a cornerstone of both education and democracy. The First Amendment protects the right to speak, but it does not shield anyone from the consequences of how that speech impacts others.”
The NIC instructor is one of many who have faced repercussions for remarks about Kirk’s death. In the days after the shooting, a campaign by public officials and others on the right has led to the firing or punishment of teachers, government workers, a TV pundit and the expectation of more dismissals to come.
An Idaho Labor Department employee was fired after he made comments on social media implying Kirk is in hell, according to the Idaho Statesman.
Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson called the employee’s comments “sick” and later praised the firing on the social platform X.
“Great job State of Idaho for doing the right thing,” Simpson said in a post. “These comments were disgusting and have no place representing Idaho and our values.”
The Idaho Statesman also reported that an employee of the West Ada School District was fired after she “posted a video celebrating the shooting of Kirk while wearing a T-shirt representing Meridian High School.”
A student-teacher in the Vallivue School District in Caldwell resigned after making “inflammatory comments regarding Kirk’s death,” according to the Statesman.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.