How ASU Enables Baseless Complaints to Silence Conservatives

The Chilling Effect

For the third time, I’ve had to involve a free speech and academic liberty law group to contact ASU about its violation of my rights. This latest incident involves a professor who outrageously attempted to dictate where I can and cannot walk, where I must direct my gaze, and even what I am allowed to think. Let that sink in—this professor believed they have such power. Their email even cc’d administrators at ASU who said nothing in reply. Even the most oppressive regimes cannot control where a person looks or what they think in the privacy of their own mind, but a state university professor has such power.

Last November, ASU launched an investigation into me because a professor claimed one of my social media posts was about their nationality. Let’s examine this reasoning process. The post in question was a response to a post by this professor mocking Christians for praying and trusting in Christ. The post publicly declared that Christians had failed for 2,000 years and argued it was time to stop praying and take matters into our own hands. This professor complained to ASU that I only said this due to their national origin (of which I had no idea and said nothing).

When I responded to this public critique of Christian faith, the professor filed a complaint with ASU, claiming my post was about their national origin. There was absolutely nothing in my post referencing nationality. Yet, that baseless accusation was enough to trigger an investigation. This professor wasn’t even identified in my post! Here it is:

I asked the ASU official how they knew who this post is about and they conceded they have no way of knowing except this person said it is about them. All the more, no one on social media could know.

It’s important to reflect on the implications of such accusations. This wasn’t about nationality—it was about defending Christians against blatant mischaracterizations. The real issue here isn’t personal offense but the growing hostility toward Christian principles in academia. Professors feel free to say the most vile things about Christ and His Church, but if you call them on it they cry like babies and throw a temper tantrum. Moments like these highlight the necessity of protecting free speech and fostering genuine dialogue, even when it challenges prevailing sentiments.

The professor’s claim wasn’t just misleading—it was a deliberate misrepresentation. It was designed to use wording they knew ASU would want to investigate. My post as it was a typical, rather bland, social media post. It needed to be spiced up to get ASU’s attention. Even then, ASU’s Office of Investigating Conservative Professors should have looked at the complaint, looked at my post, and thrown the complaint out. Instead, they contact me.

This incident underscores a troubling reality: at ASU, all it takes to launch an investigation is a fabricated complaint. The professor lied to exploit the system, weaponizing accusations to suppress dissent. Our bylaws say missing ASU’s offices for personal gain (such as revenge) is a violation—but nothing will be done to this professor.

Such actions not only harm academic freedom but also highlight the growing hostility toward those who uphold biblical principles in the public square. These professors aim to censor anyone who dares critique their ideology. Speak up, and they’ll move to punish you. What’s striking is that they don’t even seem to realize this makes them the "baddies." No self knowledge.

It’s reminiscent of the scene in Office Space where Peter awkwardly tries to justify taking fractions of a penny. He can’t just admit he’s stealing. Similarly, these professors want to mock Christians and conservatives while punishing us for having the audacity to speak up. They can’t admit they’re suppressing free speech—it would mean confronting their own hypocrisy.

Once again, freedom is being protected, and ASU is being called out by free speech lawyers for failing to dismiss this absurd complaint outright. By even contacting me about it, ASU contributed to a “chilling effect,” sending a clear message: the most ridiculous accusations will be taken seriously if they target the one outspoken conservative on campus.

Would you want your children in a class taught by a professor who thinks and acts this way? I’m genuinely curious—send me a message and let me know your thoughts.