A federal judge ordered Texas State to continue Assistant Philosophy Professor Idris Robinson’s employment contract for one year or until his case is resolved.
Robinson requested a preliminary injunction after suing the university over its decision to place him on administrative leave and the non-renewal of his employment contract. U.S. District Judge Alan Albright found Robinson was likely to succeed in his claim that the non-renewal decision was motivated by protected speech.
According to the judge’s written order, posted on the Texas State Employees Union (TSEU) website, to receive the preliminary injunction, Robinson had to prove he was likely to succeed in his suit, would suffer irreparable harm without the injunction, that his harm outweighed potential harm to Texas State and that granting the injunction would serve the public interest.
The case stems from a June 29, 2024, speech he gave in Asheville, North Carolina, titled “Strategic Lessons from the Palestinian Resistance.” The speech was not affiliated with Texas State, according to the court order.
On June 5, 2025, Robinson’s speech in Asheville circulated on Instagram, with individuals who disagreed with his speech calling for his termination at Texas State.
“That day, due to the posts, Texas State University began receiving complaints about Dr. Robinson. One day later, Dr. Robinson was placed on administrative leave due to ‘multiple complaints and allegations regarding an incident that occurred in the summer of 2024,'” the order stated.
During the event, an altercation broke out after audience members who disagreed with Robinson’s views attempted to livestream the speech, but the order found Robinson was not identified as a suspect or witness in the police report and Texas State did not argue that he incited or encouraged violence.
According to the order, Robinson returned to teaching in fall 2024 and received positive performance reviews, with him on track to become a tenured professor.
Albright found Robinson had suffered an adverse employment action, that his speech involved a matter of public concern and that the speech did not disrupt university operations. Albright also found Texas State’s decision not to renew Robinson’s contract was motivated by his speech.
“Defendants essentially admit, and the timeline confirms, that Dr. Robinson’s speech motivated Defendants’ decision not to renew his contract,” the order stated.
The order also found Robinson would suffer irreparable harm without the injunction.
“Defendants have put Dr. Robinson’s career in grave danger by violating his First Amendment rights,” the order stated.
Robinson did not respond to requests for comment.
In a statement to The Star, Jayme Blaschke, director of university communications and public relations, said the university is “reviewing the court’s order, received this afternoon, and considering our appellate options.”
Texas State may appeal the order. Robinson’s First Amendment retaliation claim will continue unless the case is settled, dismissed or resolved at trial.
Myoko Gedutis, vice president of TSEU, said the preliminary injunction offers hope to those concerned about free speech.
“[The order] reads like a slam dunk for free speech,” Gedutis said. “This is great news for Dr. Robinson and for university employees.”
Robinson is represented by attorneys Samantha Harris of Allen Harris PLLC and JT Morris of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
In a press release emailed to The Star, TSEU said the ruling “signals the strength of Dr. Robinson’s case.”
“I hope it sends a message that operating out of fear, being silent or thinking compliance is the way to go is wrong,” Gedutis said.
