A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser
extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your
connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.
A coordinated online doxxing campaign has emerged in the wake of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s killing, targeting academics, teachers, government employees and others who have posted critical remarks about him.
At least 15 people have been fired or suspended from their jobs after discussing the killing online, according to a Reuters tally on Saturday based on interviews, public statements and local press reports. The total includes journalists, academic workers and teachers.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
On Friday, a junior Nasdaq employee was fired over her posts related to Kirk.
Others have been subjected to torrents of online abuse or seen their offices flooded with calls demanding they be fired, part of a surge in right-wing rage that has followed the killing.
Chaya Raichik, who runs the right-wing “Libs of TikTok” account and is known for her anti-immigrant activism, is at the forefront of the campaign. She has shared names, photos and workplace details of individuals who expressed little sympathy for Kirk’s death.
In one case, Raichik targeted a lecturer at California State University, Monterey Bay, who reportedly wrote in an Instagram story: “I cannot muster much sympathy, truly. People are going to argue ‘He has a family, he has a wife and kids.’ What about all the kids, the many broken families from the over 258 school shootings 2020–present?”
Raichik reposted the lecturer’s photo, accusing him of mocking Kirk’s assassination.
The lecturer has not commented, but several teachers across the United States – including in California, Florida, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas – have been suspended or dismissed over similar online remarks. Union leaders condemned Kirk’s killing, but also warned against punishing educators for free speech.
Raichik has also targeted members of the military. One Coast Guard employee is under investigation after posting a meme saying he did not care about Kirk’s death. A former Twitter worker was also singled out for criticising the New York Yankees for holding a moment of silence for Kirk.
A newly registered site, “Expose Charlie’s Murderers,” has 41 names of people it alleges were “supporting political violence online” and claims to be working on a backlog of more than 20,000 submissions.
A Reuters review of the screenshots and comments posted to the site shows that some of those featured joked about or celebrated Kirk’s death. One was quoted as saying, “He got what he deserved”, and others were quoted providing variations on “karma’s a bitch.” Others, however, were critical of the far-right figure while explicitly denouncing violence.
Some institutions have already taken disciplinary action. Middle Tennessee State University dismissed an assistant dean after she wrote: “Looks like ol’Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy.” The comment referred to Kirk’s 2023 defence of gun violence, in which he argued: “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 … That is a prudent deal. It is rational.”
Even quoting that remark has been enough for some to be targeted.
Republican response
Some Republicans want to go further still and have proposed deporting Kirk’s critics from the US, suing them into penury or banning them from social media for life.
“Prepare to have your whole future professional aspirations ruined if you are sick enough to celebrate his death,” said conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a prominent ally of Trump and one of several far-right figures who are organising digital campaigns on X to ferret out and publicly shame Kirk’s critics.
The wave of firings and suspensions has raised concerns over free expression, while far-right activists celebrate what they see as a campaign of accountability.
US lawmaker Clay Higgins said in a post on X that anyone who “ran their mouth with their smart**s hatred celebrating the heinous murder of that beautiful young man” needed to be “banned from ALL PLATFORMS FOREVER.”
The US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on the same site that he had been disgusted to “see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action.”
Republicans’ anger at those disrespecting Kirk’s legacy contrasts with the mockery some of the same figures – including Kirk – directed at past victims of political violence.
For example, when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul, was clubbed over the head by a hammer-wielding conspiracy theorist during a break-in at their San Francisco home shortly before the 2022 midterm elections, Higgins posted a photo making fun of the attack. He later deleted the post.
Loomer falsely suggested that Paul Pelosi and his assailant were lovers, calling the brutal assault on the octogenarian a “booty call gone wrong.”
Speaking to a television audience a few days after the attack, a grinning Kirk called for the intruder to be sprung from jail.
“If some amazing patriot out there in San Francisco or the Bay Area wants to really be a midterm hero, someone should go and bail this guy out,” he said.
US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, but only if Nato countries meet certain conditions which include stopping buying Russian oil.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said he was “ready to do major sanctions on Russia” once Nato nations had “agreed, and started, to do the same thing”.
Trump has repeatedly threatened tougher measures against Moscow, but has so far failed to take any action when the Kremlin ignored his deadlines and threats of sanctions.
He described the purchases of Russian oil as “shocking” and also suggested that Nato place 50 to 100% tariffs on China, claiming it would weaken its “strong control” over Russia.
In what he called a letter to Nato nations, Trump said: “I am ready to ‘go’ when you are. Just say when?”
He added “the purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia”.
Trump also claimed the halt on Russian energy purchases, combined with heavy tariffs on China “to be fully withdrawn” after the war, would be of “great help” in ending the conflict.
Europe’s reliance on Russian energy has fallen dramatically since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, the EU got about 45% of its gas from Russia. That is expected to fall to about 13% this year, though Trump’s words suggest he feels that figure is not enough.
Warsaw said the incursion was deliberate, but Moscow downplayed the incident and said it had “no plans to target” facilities in Poland.
Denmark, France and Germany have joined a new Nato mission to bolster the alliance’s eastern flank, and will move military assets eastwards.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also made a demand to European nations over the purchase of Russian oil and gas.
In an interview with ABC News, he said: “We have to stop [buying] any kind of energy from Russia, and by the way, anything, any deals with Russia. We can’t have any deals if we want to stop them.”
Since 2022, European nations have spent around €210bn (£182bn) on Russian oil and gas, according to the think tank the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, much of which will have funded the invasion of Ukraine.
The EU has previously committed to phasing out the purchases by 2028. The US want that to happen faster – partly by buying supplies from them instead.
Trump’s message was to Nato, not the EU, therefore including nations such as Turkey, a major buyer of Russian oil and a country that has maintained closer relations with Moscow that any other member of the alliance.
Persuading Ankara to cut off Russian supplies may be a far harder task.
Trump’s most recent threat of tougher sanctions on Russia came earlier in September after the Kremlin’s heaviest bombardment on Ukraine since the war began.
Asked by reporters if he was prepared to move to the “second phase” of punishing Moscow, Trump replied: “Yeah, I am,” though gave no details.
The US previously placed tariffs of 50% on goods from India – which included a 25% penalty for transactions with Russia that are a key source of funds for the war in Ukraine.
Poland deployed air force jets for the second time in a week, alerted residents and closed Lublin airport near the Ukrainian border because of drones flying in its neighbor’s airspace, its Operational Command said in a post on X.
Separately, Romanian fighter jets were launched as Russia attacked Ukrainian territory near the nations’ shared border near the Danube River. A UAV was detected inside Romania’s airspace, the defense ministry said.
Poland’s air defense systems were placed on the highest alert “amid the threat of Russian drones” over Ukraine, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a separate post, adding that the action was “preventive.”
Residents of six Polish districts near to the Ukrainian border received emergency SMS alerts warning of a threat from the air.
Ukraine’s air defense said earlier on Saturday that two Russian UAVs had been flying in the west of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a post on X Saturday that he didn’t think the drone flights were accidental as he renewed his call for the country’s allies to impose additional sanctions on Russia.
Poland has became highly attuned to its air security after an unprecedented incursion of about 20 Russian drones earlier this week. Polish and allied forces shot down at least three UAVs for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The country is set to receive additional air defense support from its North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s allies as a result of the events.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that it will take a few days to determine whether the drones were intentionally sent into Poland.
“The question is whether the drones were targeted to go into Poland specifically,” he told reporters as he departed for a trip to Israel. “If that’s the case, that the evidence leads us there, then obviously that’ll be a highly escalatory move.”
Fortune Global Forum returns Oct. 26–27, 2025 in Riyadh. CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business. Apply for an invitation.
new video loaded: Anti-Immigration Activists Face Off With Counterprotesters in London
By Ang Li•
Thousands of far-right activists marched through central London on Saturday, setting off sporadic clashes with the police as they held dueling demonstrations with counterprotesters.
A US federal Appeals court has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to remove Shira Perlmutter from her position as the Register of Copyrights and Director of the US Copyright Office.
The injunction pending appeal, filed yesterday (September 10), temporarily reinstates Perlmutter and prevents the Trump administration from installing Executive Branch officials to run the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office.
The saga around Perlmutter’s ousting started in May 2025 after the Trump Administration fired Carla D. Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, and replaced Hayden with Todd Blanche, the Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice.
Blanche then immediately fired Perlmutter from the position at the US Copyright Office, which is part of the Library of Congress, and replaced her with Paul Perkins, an Associate Deputy Attorney General at the DoJ.
Perlmutter filed a lawsuit later that month, claiming her dismissal was “unlawful and ineffective” after President Trump fired both her and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden via email.
The Appeals Court’s 2-1 decision comes a few weeks after a judge in a lower court denied Perlmutter’s motion for a preliminary injunction. US District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled on July 30 that Perlmutter failed to demonstrate irreparable harm warranting emergency relief.
Perlmutter promptly filed notice of appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on August 1, signaling her intention to continue the legal battle.
The Appeals Court’s order filed yesterday (September 10) rules that Perlmutter’s removal in May was likely unlawful, and temporarily restores her as Register of Copyrights while the case continues. It also stipulates that any actions taken by improperly appointed officials at the Library of Congress have no legal effect while the case continues.
The order, which you can read in full here, states that “appellees Todd Blanche, Paul Perkins, Sergio Gor, Trent Morse, and the Executive Office of the President, and their subordinates and agents, are hereby enjoined from interfering with appellant’s service as Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office pending further order of the court”.
It adds: “To that extent, appellant has satisfied the stringent requirements for an injunction pending appeal.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Democracy Forward, the group representing Perlmutter in this case, explained that the Appeals Court’s decision pauses, for now, what the court said might constitute a “grave intrusion by the President into the constitutional powers of a coordinate branch of government.”
According to Democracy Forward, the ruling “confirms that the President does not have the legal authority to fire or replace the Register of Copyrights — a position that can be filled only by the Librarian of Congress”.
“We are proud to represent Shira Perlmutter in defending the integrity of our democratic institutions, and we will continue this fight as it proceeds,” said Brian Netter, Legal Director at Democracy Forward.”
Brian Netter
Brian Netter, Legal Director at Democracy Forward, called the ruling “a significant victory for the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the independence of Congress.”
He added: “The President does not have the authority to remove the Register of Copyrights or to install his own officials to run the nation’s library.
“We are proud to represent Shira Perlmutter in defending the integrity of our democratic institutions, and we will continue this fight as it proceeds.”
Perlmutter’s ousting and now temporary reinstatement come as the Copyright Office faces questions about leadership continuity, particularly regarding its ongoing artificial intelligence report, which Perlmutter had highlighted as urgent work requiring her oversight.
The dispute has broader implications for the music industry, given the Copyright Office’s role in regulating performance rights organizations and overseeing mechanical licensing through entities like The Mechanical Licensing Collective.
The office also plays a crucial role in AI-related copyright policy, an increasingly important area for music rights holders.
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Aubrey Martin of Santa Clarita, California, has committed to swim and study at Colorado State University, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. She trains year-round with the Canyons Aquatic Club and attends Valencia High School.
Martin, a sprint freestyle and butterfly specialist, confirmed the commitment in an email to SwimSwam. She provided the following quote:
I am incredibly grateful and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic journey at Colorado State University! I want to sincerely thank my family, friends, and coaches for their support in helping me reach this moment. A special thank you to my mom and dad for always being there for me, and to Coach Woody and Coach Lisa for this incredible opportunity. I can’t wait to be a part of the Ramily! Go Rams!
Martin’s three biggest meets of the high school season were the Foothill League Championships at the end of April, the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championships in early May, and the CIF State Meet in mid-May.
During the League Championships, Martin posted a lifetime best of 51.35 in the 100 free to earn silver, and won the 200 free with a time of 1:53.54. She also anchored two winning relays, splitting 23.23 on the 200 medley relay and 50.90 to close the 400 free relay.
At the Section meet, Martin helped the 200 medley relay take fourth and the 400 free relay finish 10th, anchoring both with splits of 23.01 and 52.09. Individually, she placed eighth in the 100 free at 51.54, just a few tenths off her best, and 18th in the 200 free at 1:57.87.
She wrapped up her season at State by anchoring the 200 medley relay in 23.30 to help the team take ninth, and leading off the 400 free relay in 52.43. Individually, she contested only the 100 free, touching 28th overall in 51.98.
Outside of freestyle, Martin also holds bests of 55.79 in the 100 fly and 2:05.70 in the 200 IM, showcasing some versatility beyond her core events.
Top SCY Times:
50 Freestyle: 23.66
100 Freestyle: 51.35
200 Freestyle: 1:51.89
100 Butterfly: 55.79
200 IM: 2:05.70
Colorado State is led by head coach Christopher Woodard, who has been at the helm of the program since 2011. The women finished seventh out of ten teams at the 2025 Mountain West Swimming and Diving Championships.
At this past season’s conference meet, which offers ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ finals, Martin has several personal bests within striking distance of cracking the top 24. Last year, it took 23.37, 50.80, and 1:51.34 to qualify in the 50–200 free, while 55.65 and 2:05.61 were the cutoffs in the 100 fly and 200 IM.
On the team’s 2024–25 depth chart, Martin would’ve ranked fourth in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly, fifth in the 200 free, and sixth in the 200 IM. Junior Lexie Trietley led the way in the 50 (22.70) and 100 (49.89) free, while sophomore Mia Axelman (1:48.90) was the only swimmer under 1:49 in the 200 free. Seniors Katie Flynn (54.86) and Maisy Barbosa (2:00.99) were the top performers in the 100 fly and 200 IM, respectively.
Martin joins the Rams’ recruiting class of 2030 alongside Avery Lonegran, Lauren Golden, and Kayda Geyer.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
Over four years since it landed on Mars, NASA’s Perseverance Rover might have made serious headway in its mission to find signs of ancient microbial life on the planet.
Last July, the autonomous exploration vehicle stumbled upon an arrowhead-shaped rock named Cheyava Falls with colorful spots on it, in what might be a river valley carved by water on the Red Planet.
NASA’s scientists think those spots may have been left behind by microbial life billions of years ago. It sounds awfully hard to believe and there might be other explanations for this, so the agency is making the data from its findings available to the broader space community to examine further via a peer-reviewed paper in Nature.
The animation below shows what the Neretva Vallis valley might have looked like way back when, with a flowing river flanked by sandy, rocky hills.
History of Mars: Water Flows in Ancient Neretva Vallis (Animation)
Let’s take a closer look at those spots. They were found using two instruments on the rover: PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry) and SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals). The spots appeared to be arranged in a distinct pattern of points of contact where chemical and physical reactions occur, with the signature of two iron-rich minerals found on Earth around organic matter.
These ‘leopard spots’ on a sample from the Cheyava Falls rock could indicate reactions that produced energy for microbial growth billions of years ago
NASA/JPL Caltech/MSSS
The appearance of both these minerals is a potential sign of ancient microbial life, and the aforementioned reactions would have produced energy to spur microbial growth.
To be clear, NASA says its findings don’t point directly to actual proof of ancient life, but to a potential biosignature: a substance or structure that appears to have a biological origin, indicating that life may have existed there at some point in the past.
NASA notes those minerals might well have been generated on Mars without the presence of life – but then you’d need sustained high temperatures, acidic conditions, and organic compounds to bind them to the rock. There isn’t any evidence of such conditions on rock samples from the area, and as such, this has led scientists to believe the evidence might point to microbes from way back. This could reveal the past habitability of the planet.
The rover landed at Mars’ Jezero Crater in February 2021, with the mission of spotting signs of life. The landing site is believed to have been flooded with water some 3.5 billion years ago. The inputs of experts outside of NASA could finally help us begin to answer one of the most puzzling questions on Earth: are we alone?
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in London on Saturday for an anti-immigration rally called ‘Unite the Kingdom’, organised by far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson. Anti-racism campaigners also marched in counterprotests.
