JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico on Thursday called for the removal of a council-appointed board member who posted what he calls “hateful rhetoric” following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The comments under fire came from Leofric Thomas Jr., who posted the following statement to his X account around 4 p.m. on Wednesday: “When you spew hate, it’s what you get back. Charlie spewed nothing but hate, so what he got back, was………yeah.”
The tweet ended with an emoji of a person shrugging.
Carrico said he will be filing legislation to remove Thomas from his position, and called on his fellow city councilmembers and Mayor Donna Deegan to join him in supporting the act.
“This hateful rhetoric has no place in Jacksonville,” he said.
Thomas also worked as the Data and Policy Manager for the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, according to JPEF’s staff directory on its website, but JPEF said in a statement Thursday evening that he is “no longer with our organization.”
“An employee replied to a social media post from their personal account in a manner inconsistent with our values and code of conduct. We condemn violence in all forms and extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Kirk’s family. We are committed to respectful, empathetic dialogue across differing viewpoints. As this is a confidential personnel matter, we cannot share additional details,” JPEF said.
Councilman Rory Diamond posted to Facebook on Thursday morning, also calling for Thomas Jr.’s removal from the Public Service Grants Council, and used the term “disgusting” to describe the comments.
Mayor Deegan sent a statement to News4JAX after the calls for Thomas’ removal: “Mayor Deegan has called for an end to hate, violence and any celebration of it. She is doing her best to turn down the rhetorical temperature and urges all our leaders to do the same. That said, this is a council appointment and a council decision.”
Thomas sent a statement to News4JAX about the post and said he does not condone or endorse any form of violence.
“On September 10th at 4:08 P.M., I made a post on X addressing Mr. Charlie Kirk. Unfortunately, that post has been taken out of context and misrepresented in a way that does not reflect my values or the work I have committed myself to throughout the City of Jacksonville.
Public service has always been a calling for me—one grounded in love, equity, and a deep desire to bring people together. My original post was never meant to imply that Mr. Kirk deserved what happened to him. I want to be very clear: I do not condone or endorse any form of violence, under any circumstance.
Over the years, I have worked across political, racial, and cultural lines to serve our community. That includes standing up for marginalized voices—particularly within the African-American, LGBTQ+, and women’s communities. Some of Mr. Kirk’s past statements have deeply disturbed me, especially those that many see as harmful toward those very communities, including ones I represent and belong to.
While I strongly disagree with some of Mr. Kirk’s views, I also recognize that disagreement should never be expressed in a way that can be interpreted as encouraging harm. If given the opportunity to say it again, I would voice my concerns very differently. I remain committed to leading with love, even in the face of division or disagreement.
To anyone who was hurt, confused, or disappointed by my words—I sincerely apologize. My heart and prayers are with Mr. Kirk’s wife and children during this traumatic time.
Love brings love. Hate brings hate. Let us choose love—every time,” Thomas wrote in an emailed statement.
According to the City of Jacksonville, Thomas was appointed by the council to serve as a board member for the Public Service Grants Council. The city says the entity’s mission is to “ensure the responsible and equitable allocation of public funds to support the City of Jacksonville’s most vulnerable populations….We evaluate community needs, review past funding, and collaborate with experts to recommend a budget that maximizes impact.”
City records show that Thomas was appointed to the Public Service Grants Council on Feb. 14, when councilman Randy White was still serving as city council president. Carrico is among the councilmembers listed as “co-sponsors” for Thomas’ appointment.
Around 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, before JPEF said Thomas was no longer with the organization, Diamond posted on X saying that JPEF is “on the clock” regarding a decision on how they will navigate the situation.
“Just so it’s clear, @JaxPEF, you aren’t going to be able to just blow this off and ‘internal investigate this,’” he said. “You get a lot of City money. You’re on the clock.”
Just so it’s clear, @JaxPEF, you aren’t going to be able to just blow this off and “internal investigate this.”
You get a lot of City money.
You’re on the clock. https://t.co/rmOsfco4Xv
— Rory Diamond (@RoryDiamond) September 11, 2025
Florida House of Representatives member Angie Nixon said Diamond’s actions can be attributed to “targeting democrats and marginalized communities.”
“Shame on you @Councilman Rory Diamond for failing to ensure you get people off the streets but instead end folks’ livelihoods and force them out on the streets,” Nixon wrote.
Thomas’ comments came moments after it was reported that Kirk had been shot while conducting an event at a college campus in Utah, but before President Trump announced that Kirk had died.
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of Trump, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University.
Videos posted to social media from the university show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.” A single shot rings out, and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck.
The death was announced on social media by Trump, who praised the 31-year-old Kirk as “Great, and even Legendary.” Later Wednesday, he released a recorded video from the White House in which he called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed the rhetoric of the “radical left” for the killing.
Investigators released two images of a person of interest and appealed for tips to help solve the shooting of Kirk.
The unidentified suspect is believed to have jumped off a roof and fled into a neighborhood after firing one shot, authorities said Thursday. A high-powered, bolt-action rifle they believe was used in the attack was recovered, and video recordings of the person they believe was responsible are being reviewed.
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