Campus Speech and Political Violence

The University of Washington says it is investigating microbiology research staffer Mara Maughan after a Facebook comment directed at school‑choice advocate Corey DeAngelis read, “May there be tyler robinsons for you all,” a reference to Tyler Robinson, who is charged with assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in 2025. Maughan, listed on the UW Department of Microbiology site as an RSE1 research employee and self‑identified in another post as a 'trans vaccine scientist,' allegedly made the remark in response to DeAngelis criticizing a Democratic state senator for refusing to acknowledge biological sex differences. DeAngelis told Fox News the comment exemplifies violent rhetoric on the left that 'normalizes political violence' against conservatives and called on UW to 'condemn and discipline' such behavior. Accuracy in Media’s president, who has targeted UW over what he calls campus radicalism, seized on the case and argued federal funding should be revoked, while the university confirmed it is looking into the matter but has not announced disciplinary action. The episode highlights how the Kirk assassination and broader surge in threats against public figures are feeding a volatile fight over academic speech, online harassment and where the line lies between protected expression and incitement.