At least $2 million in settlements has been agreed to after employees and other critics were fired or penalized over their posts about Charlie Kirk following his killing. Why it matters: The settlements illustrate the limits employers can have in regulating their workers' political rhetoric. Kirk's death became a catalyst for a free speech debate after an estimated 600 individuals were fired or punished for criticizing the conservative political activist or downplaying his death — repercussions that were backed by the Trump administration. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is aware of 14 First Amendment lawsuits in federal court brought by workers terminated for their comments about Kirk, not including those brought by workers terminated in the private sector or filed in state court.…