The University of Washington is currently conducting an investigation into remarks made by one of its researchers, who took to social media with a controversial post advocating for violence against conservative figures. This incident has sparked significant concern within the academic community and beyond.
Mara Maughan, identified on the UW Fuller Labs website and who uses she/they pronouns, holds the position of RSE1 in the Department of Microbiology’s research and lab staff. Maughan’s social media activity has come under scrutiny following a Facebook comment aimed at Corey DeAngelis, the Executive Director of the Educational Freedom Institute.
In the comment, Maughan invoked the name “Tyler Robinson” with the phrase, “May there be tyler robinsons for you all.” This statement has raised eyebrows due to its reference to Tyler Robinson, who is currently facing charges for the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Robinson is accused of the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. The incident took place during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, where Kirk tragically lost his life. This high-profile case has been at the forefront of national news and has intensified the dialogue surrounding free speech and political discourse.
The Facebook remark by Maughan was in response to a post by DeAngelis, who had shared a clip of a Democratic state senator in Washington state. DeAngelis’s caption pointedly criticized the senator’s inability to acknowledge biological differences between men and women, a subject that often fuels heated debate across the political spectrum.
DeAngelis had posted a clip of a Democratic state senator in Washington state with the caption “he can’t acknowledge that there are biological differences between men and women.”
“This kind of violent rhetoric from Mara Maughan and far too many others on the left — wishing for assassins to target conservatives like me and my family — absolutely concerns me, as it not only normalizes political violence but fuels a dangerous environment where radical ideologies in academia and beyond threaten our freedoms and safety without accountability,” DeAngelis told Fox News Digital.
“I’ve seen how the left resorts to these tactics when they’re losing the argument on merits, and it’s high time institutions like UW step up to condemn and discipline such hate to prevent real-world tragedies.”
The University of Washington is investigating microbiology researcher Mara Maughan, an RSE1 staff member, after social media comments were interpreted as endorsing violence against conservative figures, prompting criticism and calls for disciplinary action. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
Maughan is employed through a union-based position at the university, with Glassdoor estimating a similar researcher position under the immunology department at the school earns $4,000 to $5,000 a month with benefits.
The UW Department of Microbiology also has office space listed for Maughan on its website.
In a separate Facebook comment from several months ago unrelated to DeAngelis, the researcher appears to identify as transgender.
“Being an autistic trans vaccine scientist [right now] has turned me into the joker.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the University of Washington for a comment. (Google Earth)
The president of Accuracy in Media, an organization which has been actively investigating radicalism at UW for several years, says, unfortunately, the rhetoric out of the liberal-leaning university doesn’t come as a surprise.
“UW administrators claim they oppose violence, but their actions speak louder than their word,” Adam Guillette told Fox News Digital. “They’ve repeatedly allowed both violence and violent rhetoric from their students and their staff.”
“The university is already under federal investigation and it’s now time to revoke its funds,” Guillette added.
When Fox News Digital reached out to Maughan, a spokesperson from the university responded to the email inquiry with a statement.
The controversy has intensified broader scrutiny of the university, with outside advocacy groups accusing UW of tolerating radical rhetoric on campus and urging federal authorities to take action. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
“UW Medicine denounces violence against all people and takes seriously the concerns reported to us regarding this matter,” a UW spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “We are reviewing the specifics of this situation — including a detailed review of the facts, university policy and the law — and will determine next steps.”
DeAngelis was not fully satisfied with the university’s response.
“I’m glad UW Medicine is finally looking into this after the massive public outcry, but their actions will speak louder than this boilerplate statement that says nothing of substance — if they truly denounce violence, they’ll take real disciplinary action against Mara Maughan and bring meaningful accountability to prevent such hateful rhetoric from their employees in the future.”
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston.
