City of Fargo employee under fire for profanity filled Kirk post

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Outrage over an alleged social media post by a City of Fargo employee after the killing of Charlie Kirk sparked a short debate at tonight’s city commission meeting.

Commissioner Michelle Turnberg tried to add an item to the agenda on social media posting policy and staff feeling unsafe.

It comes after she shared a snapshot of a post by Ryan Slapnicka on Facebook.

Fargo’s Health and Safety Manager used profanity in regards to MAGA and Charlie Kirk.

Turnberg’s addition to the agenda was voted down 3-2, ending the debate.

Mayor Tim Mahoney says the employee pulled down the post within five minutes and said he regretted it.

Mahoney says HR will meet with him and make recommendations to the city administrator, then the report will be sent to the city commission.

“You’re not supposed to post on Facebook if you’re a City of Fargo employee of anything that could be harmful to the City of Fargo. Difficulty in this is freedom of speech so that’s one of the issues that is brough forth by Nancy Morris of which the rest of the commission is very well aware of,” said Mahoney.

Turnberg responded, “Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences. You can post it last week take it down you can post it today you can post it tomorrow but that doesn’t mean you are free from consequences.”

City attorney Nancy Morris said the commission does not have the right to remove an employee, that is left to the city administrator.