University of Louisville suspends professor after ‘offensive’ post about Trump shooting | Kentucky

(The Center Square) – A Louisville college has placed a professor on unpaid leave after he posted on social media that he wished the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump would be successful.

“If you’re going to shoot, man, don’t miss,” John James wrote in all caps under a post spotted by Libsoftiktok on Sunday. The statement was above a screenshot of a news report about Saturday’s shooting during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania that left the former president and current Republican candidate injured after a bullet grazed his ear.

James, who graduated from Bellarmine in 2009, had previously posted that he had accepted a full-time teaching position at his alma mater. On Monday, the private Catholic institution released a statement on its social media platforms saying it had placed a staff member on “immediate unpaid leave” after becoming aware of “offensive and unacceptable” comments.

“Words and actions that condone violence are unacceptable and contradict our values, which demand respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every individual,” the statement said. “We strive to create an inclusive community that welcomes all and exemplifies a spirit of goodwill.”

Although James still appears in the university’s online directory, Bellarmine has removed a web page listing him as a featured alumnus and an article about him posted on the university’s Facebook page.

Later Monday evening, the university evacuated its library and cafeteria after receiving a bomb threat, lifting the order an hour later after university officials deemed the threat “not credible.”

A school spokesman told WDRB-TV in Louisville that authorities believe the threat was related to the offensive post.

On Monday, Trump was officially named the Republican nominee as the party began its convention in Milwaukee. He appeared briefly alongside Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance, whom he named as his running mate. His right ear, the tip of which was grazed by a bullet, remained bandaged.

One participant in the rally was actually killed in the attack. Corey Comperatore, 50, died after being hit by gunfire. The former fire chief and Army Reserve veteran was protecting his family at the time.

Secret Service agents returned fire and killed the suspected attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.