We assume you heard about former NFL star & activist Chris Kluwe’s civil disobedience and arrest in protest of Huntington Beach’s new MAGA plaque at the HB Library?

And we think you may have heard of how, because of the resulting controversy, Chris was fired from his job Thursday coaching at HB’s Edison High School?

Well, here is the letter HB Congressman Dave Min sent to the High School yesterday in response to the firing:

Feb. 28, 2025
TO: Principal Daniel Morris, Superintendent Dr. Carolee Ogata
RE: Termination of Chris Kluwe.

I write to you regarding reports that Edison High School fired an employee for exercising his First Amendment political speech rights outside the work place. As the representative for both Edison High School and the terminated employee, Chris Kluwe, I am deeply concerned about what appears to be the suppression of protected political speech.

The OC Register, among other outlets, has reported that Edison recently fired Kluwe, a constituent of mine who was empllyed as a high school freshman football coach, based on political speech he made earlier this month in which he criticized the Huntington Beach City Council for a proposed “MAGA” plaque at the HB Central Public Library. According to the Register, Kluwe claims he was called into a meeting with Edison’s athletic director and assistant principal of supervision and told that “based on what’s going on we just feel it’s too much attention and we have to let you go.”

As you know, all employees of Edison and the HB Union High School District are government employees and thus are protected by the First Amendment, particularly for speech they have made as a public citizen on a matter of public importance. [see Pickering vs. Bd. of Education, 391 U.S. 563, 568 (1968).]

As the Supreme Court has held, “absent proof of false statements knowingly or recklessly made by him, a teacher’s exercise of his right to speak on issues of public importance may not furnish the basis for his dismissal from public employment.” [ibid, at 574.]

Political speech is at the heart of our First Amendment free speech protections, because America has first and foremost always stood as a place where we honor and cherish dissent and debate. I may not agree with everything Mr. Kluwe has said and done, but I know that the Constitution protects his rights to voice his opinion, and I have sworn an oath to “support and defend” those Constitutional rights. At a time when authoritarianism is on the rise around the world, and where the rule of law is increasingly under attack here at home, it is more important than ever that those of us in governmental leadership positions stand up for the rule of law and uphold our Constitution and the protections it provides to Americans.

.If it is true, as Mr. Kluwe alleges, that Edison fired him for criticizing MAGA and fascism outside of the workplace, that would seem to be illegal and unconstitutional . I am writing to you to learn more about the circumstances of why Mr. Kluwe was fired. To that end, if you could answer the following questions, and reply to me no later than March 15, 2025, I would appreciate it. I am also sending a copy of this letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, as well as to the Board Members of the HB Union High School District.

• What was the justification for firing Mr. Kluwe?

• Was Kluwe previously notified of any workplace concerns or any other issues related to his job performance?

• Is it correct, as Kluwe alleges, that he was told his political speech was drawing “too much attention,” and that was the justification for his termination?

• What was the process by which the decision to terminate Kluwe’s employment was made?

• Who was involved in the deliberations around the decision to fire Kluwe?

• Was the content of Kluwe’s speech – including his criticism of MAGA and the HB City Council – ever brought up in any of the discussions around his termination?

• Did Edison or any of its employees, or HBUHSD or any of its employees, receive any communications related to Kluwe’s speech from anyone affiliated with the HB City Council or the HB City Attorney’s office?

• Was the process by which Kluwe was fired consistent with the process used to terminate other employees at Edison and HBUHSD?

• What protections and procedures are currently in place to protect free speech and employee due process at HBUHSD and Edison?

• Finally, under the California Public Records Act, I am requesting from Edison High School and HB Union High School District any and all records (including all “public records” and “writings,” including information on officials’ personal devices, cell phones, and social media accounts if these relate to the public’s business, such as district and non-district e-mails, instant messages, direct messages, voicemails, written notes, and other records) related to the decision to terminate Chris Kluwe’s employment (including all records that include the words “Chris Kluwe” or reference to him or his position or employment.)

Thank you for your public service. I look forward to reading your response.

Very truly yours,
Dave Min
Member of Congress.

“Willie the Weenie” responds on Twitter!

There ARE, it turns out, discernable differences between the new OC GOP chairman Will O’Neill, and his predecessor Fred Whitaker, despite all their surface similarities. For one thing, Will is a tireless social media troll, spending all day lying in wait on Twitter and the other platforms, and as always he was the first to respond to Dave:

“You’ve been arrested. So has Kluwe. Neither of you were arrested for free speech. Be very very careful defending someone who made a physical advance toward elected officials.”

Which provoked Gina: “Really, Mr. O’Neill? Defending cowards from free speech, not a good look for you. “Be very very careful” sounds like a threat. You should watch your speech, some might think you are issuing threats. Do you think elected officials are more important than others and can misuse the police as their personal muscle? Kluwe told the council exactly what he would do. Peacefully protest and lay himself down on the floor. Don’t worry, if you’d like to come to a school board meeting, we will let you lie on the floor, and you won’t be arrested…” and Gina went on.

Others chimed in: “Will O’Neill had no problem with the release of J6ers who assaulted and killed Capitol Police officers. One of his central committee members is facing jailtime for bribing a parking officer and is being sued by her city. Andrew Do will be in prison soon…”

It is pretty special that a guy whose very position depends on excusing January 6 insurrectionists reaches for the smelling salts when someone peacefully “makes an advance toward elected officials.” Okay I’ll get back to work now. – Vern