California Governor Gavin Newsom has not publicly commented on the violent disruption of a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley, where left-wing agitators attacked attendees, resulting in multiple arrests. The incident, which unfolded on Monday night, involved a Turning Point USA event featuring actor Rob Schneider and author Frank Turek, a Christian mentor of the organization’s late founder, Charlie Kirk. The event, part of the ‘This is the Turning Point’ tour, was held at Zellerbach Hall, where protesters swarmed the campus, leading to clashes and physical altercations. Four female students were arrested and charged with felony vandalism, while two men were taken into custody for trespassing and resisting law enforcement. The UC Berkeley Police Department confirmed that several skirmishes went viral, including a video of a man beating a Turning Point USA supporter, who was later arrested and charged with violent crimes. A subsequent investigation revealed that the altercation involved an attempt to steal a necklace, with the victim trying to recover it from the aggressor.
Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet condemned the attacks on peaceful attendees, stating that no one should be subjected to harassment and violence at such events. The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the campus unrest, emphasizing that mob assaults and intimidation of individuals exercising their First Amendment rights are unacceptable. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhill, in a post on X, announced the probe and demanded that UC Berkeley preserve all records related to security and campus preparations for the event. The university has stated it will fully cooperate with the federal investigation, vowing to take all necessary steps to ensure the right of every member of the campus community to speak and assemble freely. Meanwhile, Newsom, who is currently in Brazil attending the COP 30 climate conference, has not issued any public statement on the matter, despite the controversies surrounding the event, which conservatives have labeled as an assault on free speech. The absence of a public response from the governor has drawn attention, as the incident has become a focal point in discussions about campus safety and the protection of free speech.
Americans’ concerns over the situation have been amplified by the involvement of prominent figures and the viral nature of the events. The incident has brought attention to the broader issue of free speech on college campuses and the role of authorities in balancing safety with constitutional rights. Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response, leaving the public with unanswered questions about the state’s stance on the matter. The controversy continues to unfold as both state and federal authorities work to address the situation and ensure that the rights of all individuals are upheld.