A Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event at the University of California, Berkeley, erupted into violent clashes on Monday night, leaving multiple people injured and prompting a federal investigation into what authorities are calling an outbreak of political violence. The incident occurred during the final stop of TPUSA’s “This Is The Turning Point” campus tour, which featured comedian Rob Schneider and author Dr. Frank Turek, and marked the organisation’s first major event since the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk two months ago in Utah.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the venue on Bancroft Way, where protesters, many wearing keffiyehs and holding anti-fascist banners, confronted supporters of the conservative student group. Chants of “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!” echoed through the campus as the crowd swelled, and tensions quickly turned violent.
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters throwing objects, toppling barricades, and clashing with police officers in riot gear. The Berkeley Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and campus security deployed batons and shields as they tried to restore order. At one point, chaos erupted when a car backfired nearby, causing many to believe gunfire had broken out. Attendees ducked for cover behind metal barriers as police rushed to secure the area.
Witnesses described the atmosphere as explosive. “People were screaming, running everywhere,” said a student who attended the event. “There was no warning — it just turned into panic in seconds.”
In a statement issued Tuesday morning, Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the violence and confirmed that the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) had launched an investigation into the clashes. “Antifa is an existential threat to our nation,” Bondi declared. “The violent riots at UC Berkeley last night are under full investigation by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force. We will continue to spare no expense unmasking all who commit and orchestrate acts of political violence.”
Bondi said the Department of Justice would also examine possible security failures at the university, including whether law enforcement had sufficient warning about the protests. “Under President Trump’s leadership, and pursuant to his Executive Order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organisation, the Department of Justice and our law-enforcement partners are dismantling violent networks that seek to intimidate Americans and suppress free expression,” she added.
Mikey McCoy, former chief of staff to Charlie Kirk, claimed that Antifa activists had infiltrated the crowd and “broken through police barricades,” endangering attendees. “Antifa is breaking through police barricades and threatening our event attendees!” McCoy wrote on X, sharing footage of the clashes. “We will not be silenced by intimidation.”
In a statement, Turning Point USA said it was “deeply disturbed by the violence” and thanked law enforcement for their “swift and professional response.” The organisation accused far-left agitators of orchestrating the unrest to suppress conservative speech on campus.
UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said the university condemned all acts of violence and reiterated its commitment to protecting free speech. “The university supports the rights of all speakers to participate in student-hosted events without regard to their beliefs,” he said. “Our police worked closely with local and state partners to ensure safety for all involved.”
Police later confirmed the arrest of Jihad Dphrepaulezz, 25, who faces charges of assault and robbery. Authorities said Dphrepaulezz allegedly snatched a chain from a TPUSA attendee before attacking him. Videos posted online show the victim attempting to retrieve his necklace before being tackled and beaten by several protesters. Photos taken afterwards showed him bloodied and dazed.
The incident has reignited debate over the state of free speech and political tolerance at American universities. Berkeley, long considered a cradle of student activism, has repeatedly been the scene of clashes between conservative speakers and left-wing demonstrators. The university has struggled for years to balance its tradition of open dialogue with growing concerns about extremist violence.
Law enforcement sources told reporters that federal agents are now investigating whether the violence was coordinated and if extremist groups planned the disruptions in advance. FBI analysts are reportedly reviewing digital communications, social media posts, and security footage to identify instigators.
The Department of Justice has not ruled out bringing federal charges if evidence suggests that interstate networks were involved in organising the violence.
For Berkeley, the night was another grim reminder of how polarised American campuses have become. What was meant to be a student event celebrating free speech ended with riot gear, bloodied faces, and federal investigators combing through the aftermath of yet another ideological battleground.
