TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – September 11, 2025 — Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas issued a stern warning to teachers across the state following reports that some educators posted “despicable” comments online about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

In a memo sent to all school district superintendents on Wednesday, Kamoutsas emphasized that while educators have First Amendment rights, those rights “do not extend without limit into their professional duties.” He said teachers who publicly make remarks that undermine the trust of students and families may face disciplinary action, including potential sanctions on their teaching certificates.
“We will hold teachers who choose to make disgusting comments about the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk accountable. Govern yourselves accordingly,” Kamoutsas wrote in a social media statement accompanying the memorandum.

Upholding Professional Conduct