Public officials don’t have the same first amendment protections. Beyond that, speech related to their responsibilities is not protected by the first amendment at all.  Entirely wrong. Public officials have exactly the same first amendment protections, the only exceptions being some limitations regarding the scope of their official duties. There is no situation where they have no first amendment protections at all except specifically regarding speech that is not protected by the 1st amendment regardless of job title. Sharing their personal views outside of official duties, on social media, is protected via the first amendment assuming it is protected speech and not legally identifiable as discrimination or advocating violence etc.