The Post and Its Historical References (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Kaukauna, Wisconsin — A longtime social studies teacher at Kaukauna High School landed on administrative leave after posting a provocative message on X about presidential assassins.[1][2] Patrick Meyer, who had served the Kaukauna Area School District for more than 20 years, made the comment shortly after a shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25.[3] The district acted quickly once parents and officials raised concerns about the content.[4]
The Post and Its Historical References
Meyer’s now-deleted X post stated: “I am not impressed with recent presidential assassins. It’s f—ing embarrassing! Booth, Guiteau, Czolgosz, Oswald must all be spinning in their graves! MAGAA (make Americans great assassins again)! Sad!”[1][3] The message appeared under the handle @looper1973, which multiple sources linked to Meyer before the account vanished.[4]
The names invoked pointed to infamous figures from U.S. history. John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Charles Guiteau killed President James Garfield in 1881. Leon Czolgosz assassinated President William McKinley in 1901. Lee Harvey Oswald took the life of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Meyer suggested these individuals would disapprove of more recent efforts.[1]
District Takes Immediate Action
The Kaukauna Area School District confirmed Meyer’s placement on leave in a statement released on April 27. Officials noted they became aware of the post and initiated a review process aligned with district policies.[2] “The District has placed the employee on administrative leave and is taking additional action to review the matter in accordance with its policies and procedures,” the statement read.[1]
District leaders emphasized their dedication to safety. They declared the Kaukauna Area School District “unequivocally rejects any conduct, expression, or behavior that may encourage, condone, or promote violence in any form.” No evidence emerged of any threat to students or staff, and the post held no connection to school activities.[3] The matter remained under investigation as of late April 27.
Reactions from Community and Lawmakers
U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, who represents Wisconsin’s 8th District, shared a screenshot of the post on social media. “This type of disgusting rhetoric has no place in our society and does not represent our values in #WI08,” he wrote. “It is not the example that our teachers should be setting for Northeast Wisconsin students.”[1][4]
Opinions split sharply at a Kaukauna school board meeting that evening, relocated to accommodate a larger crowd. Parents like Jennifer Schaefer questioned the message’s impact on students: “His comment was, ‘Make assassinations great again.’ What does this teach our kids?” Naomi Dvorachek called it “totally unacceptable.”[3] Yet current and former students defended Meyer’s classroom presence. Senior Iris Bass described him as “a kind and dutiful teacher who values his students.” Alumni from the class of 2014, including Logan Lamers and Connor Geenen, praised his even-keeled approach and emphasis on research and facts.[3]
Key District Commitments:
- Maintain safe learning environment for all.
- Reject promotion of violence.
- Review per policies; no student safety risk found.
Timeline and Ongoing Review
The sequence unfolded rapidly. A shooting disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, prompting Meyer’s post over the weekend.[3] By April 27, Rep. Wied publicized the screenshot, parents alerted the district, and Meyer went on leave. The school board fielded public input that same night.[4]
As the district proceeded with its internal examination, the episode underscored tensions around social media use by educators. Neither Meyer nor district officials issued further public statements by April 28. The focus stayed on ensuring accountability while safeguarding school operations.
