A Texas State University history professor got the boot for preaching political violence at a socialist conference, proving once again that academia’s ivory towers aren’t immune to real-world consequences, as the New York Post reports.
Tom Alter, an associate history professor at Texas State University and a member of Socialist Horizon, was fired this week after a video of his radical rhetoric at the Revolutionary Socialism Conference 2025 went viral. The clip, shared widely on X and posted in full on YouTube, sparked outrage and led to his swift termination.
During his online speech on Sept. 7, Alter railed against what he called the “U.S. capitalist crisis,” blaming it for woes in education, mental health, and infrastructure. His solution? Organizing socialists to overthrow the system, while dismissing the Chinese Communist Party, Democrats, and anarchists as ineffective.
“What makes the current crisis an extra problem for capitalists is the willingness of people to fight back,” Alter declared. That fight, he implied, includes violence—a stance that’s a far cry from scholarly debate. Texas State University didn’t hesitate to show him the door.
Alter’s comments weren’t just academic musings; they were a call to arms that crossed a clear line. He praised anarchists jailed for protests but questioned their disorganized efforts, asking, “Without organization, how can anyone expect to overthrow the most bloodthirsty, profit-driven, mad organization in the history of the world -- that of the United States?” Such rhetoric doesn’t belong in a classroom, and the university agreed.
President Kelly Damphousse announced Alter’s termination, citing “serious professional and personal misconduct.” He didn’t point to a specific policy violation, but the message was clear: advocating violence has no place at Texas State. Chancellor Brian McCall echoed this, condemning conduct that incites lawlessness.
“Conduct that advocates for inciting violence is directly contrary to the values of Texas State University,” Damphousse stated. His firm stance signals that universities aren’t playgrounds for radical manifestos. Alter’s firing sends a warning to professors who think their tenure shields them from accountability.
McCall doubled down, calling Alter’s words “inconsistent with our shared values” and evidence of “egregious personal and professional misconduct.” The chancellor’s zero-tolerance policy for incitement is a refreshing break from the usual academic hand-wringing. Texas State chose principle over pandering.
Alter wasn’t the only Texas professor to face the axe that week. On Sept. 9, Texas A&M fired English professor Melissa McCoul, along with the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the head of the English Department. The trio’s dismissal stemmed from a separate but equally telling incident.
McCoul, teaching a children’s literature course, clashed with a student who challenged a presentation on gender and sexuality, citing President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI orders. McCoul dismissed the student’s concerns, insisting the material was “biologically true” and included claims of more than two genders. The student was asked to leave the classroom after the exchange.
“The student was under a misconception” about the legality of the instruction, McCoul said. Her defiance, rooted in progressive dogma, ignored the student’s valid concerns about federal policy. It’s no surprise Texas A&M acted decisively.
McCoul also claimed the student’s challenge wouldn’t stop her from teaching “biologically true” content, including that there are more than two genders. Her refusal to engage with dissenting views exposes the arrogance of academics who prioritize ideology over open discourse. The university’s response was a necessary correction.
Alter’s and McCoul’s firings highlight a growing pushback against professors who use their platforms to push radical agendas. Alter’s violent rhetoric and McCoul’s dismissal of legitimate student concerns reflect a broader issue: academia’s drift into ideological echo chambers. Universities are finally waking up to the problem.
The Post sought Alter’s comment, but he has yet to clarify his incendiary remarks. His silence speaks volumes, as does the viral video that exposed his views to the world. Social media, particularly X, played a key role in bringing accountability to his doorstep.
These incidents at Texas State and Texas A&M show that universities are starting to draw lines in the sand. Professors can’t hide behind academic freedom when their actions undermine institutional values or public safety. It’s a step toward restoring sanity in higher education, and not a moment too soon.
