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

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!!!”

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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.

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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/