Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is asking LSU to put a statue of former conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September, on campus, he said in a video Monday night.
“We’re going to put a challenge out to the LSU Board of Supervisors to find a place to put a statue of Charlie Kirk to defend the freedom of speech on college campuses,” Landry said.
Landry was on campus after speaking at a Turning Point USA event held at the Raising Cane’s River Center in downtown Baton Rouge. The event was initially supposed to include Kirk, who founded Turning Point, until his death.
Kirk was killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
An LSU spokesperson said the university had no comment on Landry’s request.
Since being elected as governor in 2023, Landry has attempted to exercise sizable influence over LSU, from everything from free speech to athletics.
He publicly called for the disciplining of two separate law professors who made political references while instructing classes. One professor Ken Levy was suspended from teaching and brought a lawsuit that is still unresolved.
Landry also worked to make sure a live tiger returned to Tiger Stadium on LSU game days, culminating in a tiger named Omar being wheeled around in a cage during football’s 2024 home game against Alabama.
According to reports, Landry was also heavily involved in the discussions with university officials to move on from football head coach Brian Kelly, who was fired Sunday.
Many also believe Landry’s influence will play a big role in the university’s pending decision to select a new president after former President William Tate IV took the same role at Rutgers University.
Landry also previously spoke on LSU’s campus in October of last year, where he held a joint press conference with LSU’s Turning Point USA chapter and signed an executive order protecting free speech on college campuses.
“For years, I have met students from across our state who have expressed concern about the direction of free speech on our college campuses. Students should never have to fear retribution from their teachers or classmates because they do not agree on speech or politics. Today’s executive order is a step in the right direction to cultivate a culture on our campuses where open dialogue between all viewpoints is prevalent and protected,” Landry said then.
