University of Kansas lecturer placed on leave over call to 'shoot' men who oppose female president

The University of Kansas has placed on leave an instructor who told his class that men who don’t believe women are smart enough to be president should be lined up and shot.

“The university is aware of a classroom video in which an instructor made an inappropriate reference to violence,” said the school in a Wednesday statement . “The instructor is being placed on administrative leave, pending further investigation.”

In the video , which has since gone viral, the male lecturer says that “[if you think] guys are smarter than girls, you’ve got some serious problems.”

“It’s what frustrates me. There are going to be some males in our society that will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president,” he said. “We can line up those guys and shoot them. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.”

He immediately appeared to regret his comment, telling the class: “Did I say that? Scratch that from the recording. I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that.”

The university confirmed that the incident took place this semester but did not name the instructor. He was identified as a lecturer in health sport and exercise science by the Topeka Capital-Journal.

“The instructor offers his sincerest apologies and deeply regrets the situation,” said the KU statement. “His intent was to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality, and he recognizes he did a very poor job of doing so. The university has established a process for situations like this and will follow that process.”

The video was posted Wednesday by Ned Ryun, son of former Rep. Jim Ryun, Kansas Republican, who was a track star at KU and Olympic silver medalist.

“Seriously, @UnivOfKansas? You’re letting this be said in your classrooms? That men who won’t vote for Kamala Harris for President should be lined up and shot?” asked Ned Ryun on X.

Sen. Roger Marshall, Kansas Republican, called for the instructor to be fired.

“This guy shouldn’t be within 100 yards of a university and I am calling for his swift termination,” said Mr. Marshall on X.

Sen. Jerry Moran, Kansas Republican, said the video was “disturbing and inappropriate.”

“There should never be a call for violence anytime or anywhere in the classroom,” he said on X. “We must cool down the political rhetoric and be respectful and civil to each other, & that is especially true for someone charged with teaching our young people.”