College Republicans Chapter Sues School for Right to Make Nazi Salute
UF GOP student club says it was punished for politics; university says it was deactivated after its own state affiliate disbanded it over an antisemitic gesture.
Mar 17, 2026
Sources
Summary
The New Republic reports that the University of Florida deactivated its College Republicans chapter after a photo circulated showing a member making an apparent Nazi salute and after images surfaced of members with far-right figures. The chapter, represented by Anthony Sabatini, filed a federal lawsuit alleging a First Amendment violation and claims UF targeted the group for hosting Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback on March 11, 2026. Other reporting indicates UF says it acted after the Florida Federation of College Republicans disbanded the chapter and notified the university, making the central dispute as much about organizational status and conduct policies as about protected speech.
Reality Check
Across outlets, the most consistent factual core is that UF deactivated the chapter after its state College Republicans federation disbanded the chapter following an apparent Nazi-salute/antisemitism-related incident; the chapter is now suing claiming a First Amendment violation, while the university frames the move as a response to the affiliate’s disbanding and campus safety/anti-discrimination commitments. (wusf.org)
Detail
New Republic says UF deactivated the UF College Republicans after a Nazi-salute photo circulated and other photos showed members with Nick Fuentes and Myron Gaines. (newrepublic.com)
The chapter filed a federal lawsuit Monday (March 16, 2026) alleging UF violated First Amendment rights. (wusf.org)
UF interim president Donald Landry said the Florida Federation of College Republicans told UF it had disbanded the chapter; UF then moved to deactivate it. (newrepublic.com)
Multiple local/national reports describe the trigger as an “antisemitic gesture” / apparent Nazi salute tied to at least one member, rather than sanctioned university speech. (cbs12.com)
Sabatini told local media the Nazi-salute photo was the “final straw” and argued the real reason was the chapter’s March 11, 2026 event featuring James Fishback. (newrepublic.com)
Related national context: College Republicans of America appointed Kai Schwemmer as political director; coverage notes ties to Nick Fuentes and backlash from conservatives/pro-Israel groups. (jewishinsider.com)