A video allegedly showed the professor calling for overthrowing the government during a socialist conference.
SAN MARCOS, Texas — On Wednesday, a Texas State University (TXST) professor was fired after a video surfaced online allegedly showing him calling for the overthrow of the U.S. government.
Thomas Alter, a history professor, was speaking at the Revolutionary Socialism Conference when he referred to the federal government as “bloodthirsty” and “profit-driven,” according to a video circulating on X and reporting from The Texas Tribune.
TXST System Chancellor Brian McCall addressed the incident in a statement posted to X on Wednesday.
“The university will not tolerate conduct by any employee intended to incite violence,” McCall said. “Video recordings made public this week in which a Texas State University professor advocated for the overthrow of our government are inconsistent with our shared values and demonstrate egregious personal and professional misconduct. I support the university’s decision to terminate the professor immediately.”
TXST President Kelly Damphousse also released a statement, saying that a thorough review of the footage revealed “serious professional and personal misconduct.”
“Conduct that advocates for inciting violence is directly contrary to the values of Texas State University,” Damphousse said. “I cannot and will not tolerate such behavior. As a result, I have determined that their actions are incompatible with their responsibilities as a faculty member at Texas State University. Effective immediately, their employment has been terminated.”
Alter has not publicly responded to the allegations or his termination.
The firing of Alter comes one day after a professor at Texas A&M University was fired following a separate video circulating online showing a student confronting the professor about gender identity content in the classroom.