News Summary
Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico plans to remove board member Leofric Thomas Jr. following his controversial remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Carrico deemed Thomas’s comments as ‘hateful rhetoric’ not reflective of Jacksonville’s values. Responses have been swift, with calls for Thomas’s removal from various officials, including Mayor Donna Deegan. The situation escalates following Kirk’s tragic shooting death, raising discussions about hate speech and political violence, while the state education department investigates online comments regarding the incident.
Jacksonville – Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico has initiated plans to remove board member Leofric Thomas Jr. from his position following controversial comments he made following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Carrico labeled Thomas’s remarks as “hateful rhetoric” unrepresentative of Jacksonville’s values and has requested support from fellow council members and Mayor Donna Deegan for his removal.
The incident centers around a post made by Thomas on September 10, 2025, on X (formerly Twitter), in which he stated that Kirk “spewed nothing but hate” and that what he received was deserved—accompanied by a shrug emoji. These comments have drawn significant backlash, with many citing the need for civil discourse and a condemnation of hate speech.
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), where Thomas served as the Data and Policy Manager, announced that he is no longer with the organization after the incident. The organization clarified that Thomas’s statements were inconsistent with their values and extended condolences to Kirk’s family while condemning violence.
In addition to Carrico, Councilman Rory Diamond has joined the call for Thomas’s removal from the Public Service Grants Council, describing his comments as “disgusting.” Mayor Donna Deegan has also issued a statement urging an end to hate and political violence while clarifying that council appointments are the council’s decision.
Thomas has since issued an apology, claiming that his comments were misrepresented. He emphasized his stance against violence and stated that his intention was to promote love and equity in his message. Thomas had been appointed to the Public Service Grants Council on February 14, 2025, with unanimous confirmation from the council.
The controversy follows the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, who was attacked while speaking at an event in Utah. This tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage and debate surrounding the themes of hate speech and political violence. In the wake of Kirk’s death, President Donald Trump called him a “martyr for truth and freedom,” while condemning the rhetoric attributed to the “radical left.”
Authorities are actively investigating the incident, confirming that a suspect fled the scene and that a bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the attack has been recovered. Public reaction has included widespread condolences from a variety of political leaders, emphasizing the critical nature of discussing political violence and promoting civil discourse.
In light of these events, the Florida Department of Education has announced plans to investigate educators who commented on Kirk’s death online, following the suspension of a teacher in Clay County for making “despicable comments.” The Florida Education Association has condemned the online discourse surrounding Kirk’s passing, stressing the importance of safety in communities, including schools and campuses.
This unfolding situation highlights the ongoing national dialogue regarding political extremism, hate speech, and violence, and the impact that individual public figures and their statements can have on community standards and perceptions.
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Additional Resources
- WTSP News
- Wikipedia: Hate speech
- Jacksonville.com
- Google Search: Charlie Kirk
- News4Jax
- Google Scholar: Political violence
- Florida Politics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Political extremism
- USA Today
- Google News: Hate crime reports
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
