Identity of Speakers
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Jeffrey L. Harrison
Faculty/Staff
OtherRetired law professor emeritus at the University of Florida
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Social media
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Faculty sanctioned
Title IX or other federal statute
Other
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Incident Status:
No litigation
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
Following the September 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, retired University of Florida (UF) law professor Jeffrey L. Harrison posted a public Facebook message stating that Kirk was an “evil person spouting all kinds of hateful messages” and that he did not wish for Kirk’s death, reserving that wish for President Donald Trump instead. He also added that even members of the Gestapo and concentration camp guards had children, which did not make them heroes, nor did it make Kirk someone to be admired.
The post drew widespread attention and criticism, including calls from conservative activists for Harrison to lose any affiliation with UF. On September 19, 2025, the University of Florida rescinded Harrison’s emeritus status, citing violations of university policies regarding conduct and speech. Emeritus status, conferred in recognition of meritorious service, carries privileges such as continued campus courtesies and participation in academic events. Harrison’s profile was subsequently removed from the UF Levin College of Law website.
Harrison expressed that he was shocked by the university’s decision and that he had received significant negative commentary about his post. This matter occurred amid a series of similar incidents at universities nationwide following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, in which faculty members faced institutional responses to controversial social media posts.
