First Amendment Protects Michigan Assistant AG's "Political Campaign" Against University Student President?

UPDATE: The Michigan Assistant AG has been terminated.

UPDATE: The Michigan Assistant AG has apparently taken a "leave of absence."

 

The CNN report by Anderson Cooper is worth watching:

   

 

The blog "Chris Armstrong Watch,"  by the Assistant AG is entirely devoted to Chris Armstrong, the student body president.  The Michigan student newspaper has quoted the statement of Michigan AG Mike Cox:

“All state employees have a right to free speech outside working hours,” Cox said in a statement yesterday, according to the Free Press. “But Mr. Shirvell’s immaturity and lack of judgment outside the office are clear.”

For ConLawProfs looking for an in-class exercise testing the limits of Pickering as well as discussing Garcetti v. Ceballos this would make good material.

RR   (h/t Steve Sanders)