Bellarmine employee suspended over Trump social media post is ‘no longer’ with university

A Bellarmine University employee who was suspended for making an "offensive and unacceptable social media post" over the weekend is now no longer with the university.

John James, an instructor, wrote on social media, "If you're gonna shoot, man, don't miss," alongside a screenshot of an article about the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump.

The post went viral after being screenshotted and posted by Libs of TikTok on X, formally known as Twitter.

Jason Cissell, assistant vice president for communication at Bellarmine, said the screenshot of James' post was legitimate and on Monday confirmed he was the faculty member the university put on unpaid administrative leave. By Tuesday, Cissell said he was "no longer a Bellarmine employee,” though he would not say whether James was fired or resigned.

Monday evening, the university received a bomb threat that Cissell said at the time “appears to be related” but was later found not credible by the Louisville Metro Police Department.

"Words and actions that condone violence are unacceptable and contrary to our values, which call for respecting the intrinsic value and dignity of every individual," Cissell said in a statement provided to The Courier Journal. "We strive to create an inclusive community that welcomes all and models a spirit of goodwill. We are aware of an offensive and unacceptable social media post made by an employee over the weekend. That individual has been placed on immediate unpaid leave."

James did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The attempted assassination of Trump at a political rally Saturday in Pennsylvania left at least one spectator dead and two others injured. Secret Service agents killed the gunman, identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

This story may be updated.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

From Tuesday:Bellarmine given all clear after bomb threat