A Rutgers University professor, Tracy Budd, has sparked controversy and an internal review following her social media posts that seemingly endorsed the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Budd's comments were made in the wake of an incident where a 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, targeted Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, only managing to graze his ear.
According to The New York Post, Budd, who is not tenured and has been associated with Rutgers since 2001, posted on Facebook, "Lets hope todays events inspire others."
This was followed by another post that read, "They shot his wig," accompanied by the word, "Sad." Budd, a former reporter, earns over $72,000 at Rutgers.
The posts have drawn criticism from various quarters, including former New Jersey state senator and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Durr. Durr has called for Rutgers to terminate Budd's position as an assistant English professor in the writing program, stating, "New Jersey does not need people like this teaching our children."
Rutgers University-New Brunswick has responded to the controversy, stating, "Rutgers University-New Brunswick condemns calls for violence in the strongest possible terms and remains committed to upholding the principles of civil discourse."
The university has assured that it is reviewing the matter and will take any appropriate actions based on its policies. As the academic year approaches, the university plans to emphasize the importance of civility in these challenging times.
The conservative news outlet Campus Reform was the first to report on Budds posts after screenshots were shared with the site.
Budd, who has since deleted all of her social media accounts, has not responded to requests for comment.
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