A former Trump administration official and business law professor is suing New Mexico State University for wrongful termination and discrimination, which he alleges is due to his conservative values and participation in Republican politics.
Dr. Gavin Clarkson, who served as deputy assistant secretary in the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, was abruptly terminated from his position at New Mexico State University while on a leave of absence.
According to ProPublica, Clarkson resigned from the Bureau of Indian Affairs following an inspector general report into the loan program he directed. While still on leave, Clarkson announced his candidacy for Congress. New Mexico State University’s provost and general counsel initiated a process of canceling Clarkson’s leave four days later.
The Christian, conservative, and pro-life college professor alleges “wrongful termination, breach of contract, denial of due process, defamation, creation of a hostile work environment, and racial and religious discrimination.”
Clarkson contends his 2017 leave of absence agreement should be valid through January 2020 regardless of how he spends his time during the leave, and claims the university’s actions are “clearly meant to stop me from continuing my congressional campaign.”
The provost sent a notice of termination to Dr. Clarkson with an option to be reinstated, provided he remain in his office on campus, despite having no students or assigned classes.
Clarkson appealed his termination, but was fired despite an ongoing appeals process.
“People on the Left will tolerate me because I’m a tribal member,” Clarkson told Red Alert Politics. “If you’re black and conservative you’re an Uncle Tom, if you’re a tribal member and a conservative you’re a Clarence Tomahawk.”
“Without the basic due process rights that are the cornerstone of western civilization, it’s really just a kangaroo court,” Clarkson concluded. “While litigation should never be the first option, it’s the only way forward at this point to make sure justice is done in this situation, which is a transparent political hit job.”
New Mexico State University Media Relations Officer Minerva Baumann told Red Alert Politics that “New Mexico State University does not comment on pending litigation.”
