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By Chris Matthews
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A man was arrested after tearing down an American flag and assaulting three people during a Turning Point USA event at a Texas university.
Video circulated by the conservative organization shows the man shouting at attendees at the University of Texas at Tyler on Tuesday before swinging a cane at people around him. The man, who was wearing a black hat and cape, called those attending the event "fascist pieces of s***" during the confrontation.
University officials confirmed that three people were assaulted and that the man, who was not a student, was arrested by campus police.
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Turning Point USA was founded by Kirk, who was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University in September 2025. The organization has continued holding events on college campuses, including debates and public discussions about political issues.
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What Happened?
The confrontation took place during a "Pick Up the Mic" event organized by Turning Point USA, the conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
Footage credited to Lisette Ferguson and Alanna Kitchens shows the man pulling down an American flag from the group's display.
"Y'all don't deserve this," he said, throwing the flag to the ground.
He then raised his cane toward people nearby and shouted: "Back the f*** off you fascist pieces of s***."
The man was seen swinging the cane toward attendees, appearing to strike one person in the legs.
Another man intervened before campus police arrived and arrested the suspect.
As he was being detained, the man said: "Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences."
Frontlines TPUSA said a field representative and two students were assaulted during the incident.
The organization said the suspect was taken to county jail for processing. It added that no injuries were reported, but this has not yet been independently established.
Although TPUSA initially described him as a student, the university subsequently confirmed that he was not enrolled at UT Tyler.
What Have Officials Said?
UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley condemned the incident in a statement following the arrest.
"Everyone has the right to free speech, and violence will not be tolerated at this university," she said.
The university said campus police responded immediately, arrested the man and barred him from returning to campus.
Republican Representative Nathaniel Moran, whose congressional district includes Tyler, also condemned the attack.
"The First Amendment protects your right to speak, even to protest. It does not protect assaulting people you disagree with," Moran wrote on X.
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"Violence has no place on any campus, and it doesn't represent East Texas. Thank you to UT Tyler police for acting quickly."
Texas State Representative Daniel Alders also criticized the incident.
"Disgraceful behavior here leading to assault of a UT Tyler student with @TPUSA," he wrote on X.
"The First Amendment guarantees free speech and the right to assemble peaceably. Thank you to UT Tyler police for acting quickly to prevent this from escalating further."
The suspect's identity and the specific criminal charges, if any, have not yet been publicly confirmed.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and James Debens
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