An Oregon city councilman has found himself in the center of a media storm following his resignation over a social media post celebrating the alleged assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. John Colgan, who held a position on the Cornelius City Council, faced immediate backlash for his offensive remarks online. When news broke, the outrage was swift and widespread, leading to his resignation on September 12, 2025.
The incident began when Colgan posted a comment on Facebook stating, “Hearing that Charlie Kirk got shot and died really brightened up my day.” This statement was soon met with significant condemnation. Jeffrey Dalin, the mayor of Cornelius, confirmed Colgan’s resignation, emphasizing that Colgan’s views do not represent those of the city or its leadership. “The comments made by Former City Councilor Colgan on social media do not reflect my values or the values of the City of Cornelius,” Dalin remarked in a public statement.
The post and subsequent reactions only escalated from there. Colgan further described Kirk as “a f****** ghoul” who sought to profit from tragedies such as school shootings. His comments drew immediate criticism from various quarters, including independent journalist Andy Ngo, who reported on the backlash Colgan faced. The controversy surrounding Colgan’s remarks highlights the potentially volatile intersection of politics and social media.
After the uproar, Colgan eventually submitted a resignation letter, expressing regret for his comments and acknowledging the damage they caused within the community. Dalin affirmed the resignation’s effect was immediate, as he noted, “In his resignation, he expressed that he is deeply sorry for his comments and the harm they caused to our community and staff.”
Despite resigning from his council position, Colgan remains a teacher at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Forest Grove. While the Forest Grove School District confirmed his employment status, they placed him on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into his comments. The district issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, expressing, “We recognize the harm caused by our staff member’s post and we are taking the situation seriously.” They also committed to keeping families updated as the investigation proceeds.
Mayor Dalin spoke out firmly against political violence, stating, “I strongly condemn all acts of political violence and stand firmly against words or actions that could incite it.” His stance underscores the broader concerns about the effects of divisive rhetoric in politics today. As this story unfolds, attention remains focused on both the ramifications for Colgan and the responses from the community and educational institutions involved.
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