A former federal contractor is suing the government after his termination following comments on social media about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Peter Souders, an engineer and ex-Team USA athlete, claims he lost his job due to retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights. His lawsuit cites violations stemming from his private speech on a significant national issue.
Details of the Lawsuit
Souders worked for Advanced Concepts Enterprises Inc. (ACES) at the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters since July. He filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, naming multiple defendants including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. Notable figures cited in the lawsuit are Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Incident Timeline
On September 17, 2023, Michael Cogar, deputy assistant secretary of defense for civilian personnel policy, raised concerns about Souders’ alleged “inappropriate behavior.” Cogar sent an email to Greyson McGill, identifying Souders as a Coast Guard contractor. McGill subsequently instructed personnel to terminate Souders’s access to the Coast Guard without delay.
- Facebook comments about Kirk’s assassination were made around September 10.
- Souders was officially terminated on September 18, 2023.
- His firing allegedly followed an email from the federal government.
Social Media Context
The comments attributed to Souders included criticisms of Kirk, labeling him “a noted Islamophobe” and a “Nazi.” Souders’ attorney, Mark Zaid, confirmed these remarks but noted that it remained unclear which specific posts influenced government actions against him. Zaid emphasized that Souders did not identify himself as a government employee on his Facebook page.
Government Response
Following the filing, the Department of Defense and Coast Guard declined to comment due to ongoing litigation. Requests for comments from the DHS and ACES received no responses. Zaid highlighted that federal employees should feel safe expressing private views without governmental retaliation.
Broader Implications
This lawsuit raises concerns over government censorship of private speech, especially in light of recent firings following Kirk’s assassination. Zaid stated that the case is the first of its kind, addressing the government’s involvement in employment termination linked to personal expressions. Souders seeks reinstatement, compensation, and equitable relief for the wrongful termination.
The termination of employees across various sectors, including education and healthcare, following Kirk’s assassination highlights a pattern of punitive actions against those expressing dissent. Hegseth himself was reported to have taken a proactive stance in identifying service members who criticized Kirk’s killing.
