[1] He became involved in a free speech controversy surrounding his employer Collin College in 2022, after he alleged that the school had fired him because of his political beliefs.
The book explores the history of the Texas House of Representatives, and how its statewide and national political influence grew in the 20th century.
[10][2] In January 2022, Collin College informed Phillips that it would not be renewing his contract, a decision which he attributed to his political conduct and recent disagreements with the school administration.
[21] Phillips claimed that he was disciplined by the school,[22] after The Washington Post published an interview in which he discussed the history of racism in Texas to provide context for the El Paso terror attack.
[24] According to college records, Phillips was disciplined for sharing a post on Twitter which showed an administrative presentation telling faculty not to discuss face masks with students.
[19] After Phillips violated the school ban on discussing COVID-19 prevention methods by encouraging students to wear masks, he was informed that his teaching contract would not be renewed.
[28] The American Historical Association sent a letter to Matkin urging the school to reverse the decision on the matter, and describing it as part of a "pattern of arbitrary nonrenewals" at the college.
[30] Loyola University Chicago professor Benjamin H. Johnson circulated a petition which called for an investigation into Collin College, and whether the school had violated academic freedom standards.
[33] A spokesperson for Collin College responded to the lawsuit, saying that Phillips had "mischaracterize[d] facts" and that the school "looks forward to defending its actions in court".