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Bellarmine suspends employee over social media post about Trump

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Bellarmine suspends employee over social media post about Trump

Bellarmine University has suspended an employee who allegedly made an “offensive and unacceptable social media post” over the weekend.

John James, an instructor, wrote on social media: “If you’re going to shoot, man, don’t miss,” adding a comment next to a screenshot of an article about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The post went viral after it was screenshotted and posted by Libs from TikTok on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Jason Cissell, Bellarmine’s assistant vice president for communications, said the screenshot of James’ post was authentic and confirmed that he was the faculty member the university placed on unpaid administrative leave.

On Monday evening, the university received a bomb threat that Cissell said “appears to be related,” but which was later deemed implausible by the Louisville Metro Police Department.

“Words and actions that condone violence are unacceptable and contrary to our values, which demand respect for the inherent worth and dignity of each individual,” Cissell said in a statement to the Courier Journal. “We strive to create an inclusive community that welcomes all and models a spirit of goodwill. We are aware of an offensive and unacceptable social media post made by an employee over the weekend. That individual was immediately placed on unpaid leave.”

James did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At least one bystander was killed and two others injured in the attempted assassination of Trump at a political rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Secret Service agents killed the gunman, identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

This story may be updated.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at [email protected] or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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