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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an investigation into the unrest that occurred outside a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley on Monday (November 10). Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced the probe on X, stating, "Mob assault and thuggish intimidation of attendees exercising their First Amendment rights are unacceptable." The event, held at Zellerbach Hall, was the final stop on the "This is the Turning Point" tour and featured actor Rob Schneider and author Frank Turek.
The atmosphere outside the event was tense, with left-wing agitators reportedly swarming the venue. Attendees had to navigate through a hostile crowd, while police worked to maintain order. According to Fox News, at least eight people were arrested during the event. Among those arrested was Jihad Dphrepaulezz, charged with robbery and battery, and Christopher Joseph Benton, arrested for trespassing and resisting an officer.
The DOJ has requested that UC Berkeley preserve all records related to the event's security and preparations. The university has pledged full cooperation with the federal investigation and stated that it will work with the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force to identify any outside agitators involved. Despite the chaos outside, the event, which drew over 900 attendees, proceeded without interruption.
The investigation comes two months after the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. The DOJ's inquiry will determine whether the events at UC Berkeley should be included in ongoing investigations into potential violations of federal rights, including the First and Fourteenth Amendments.