California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing growing scrutiny after violent left-wing agitators stormed a Turning Point USA event at UC Berkeley.
Now—only after nationwide backlash—the governor has finally issued a statement condemning the violence. For many conservatives, it raises the question: Is Newsom trying to walk back his soft stance on radical activists?
Newsom’s Office Breaks Its Silence After Days of Outrage
Two days after the chaos erupted, a spokesperson for Newsom told Fox News Digital that “violence is not a legitimate exercise of First Amendment rights,” adding that protests “must be done peacefully.”
The comment came only after videos of the assaults went viral, sparking widespread anger among conservative Americans who believe the governor has long turned a blind eye to extremist groups on his own side of the aisle.
Newsom’s team emphasized that six arrests were made out of more than 900 demonstrators and that law enforcement worked quickly to contain the most aggressive agitators. But the damage was already done—especially to public trust.
Turning Point Event Targeted by Radical Protesters
The violent unrest unfolded Monday night at Zellerbach Hall during the final stop of TPUSA’s “This Is the Turning Point” tour. Actor Rob Schneider and author Frank Turek were scheduled to speak when a mob of left-wing activists attempted to forcefully shut down the event.
Four female UC Berkeley students—ages 20 to 22—were arrested on felony vandalism charges. Their names were not released in local reports.
Police also arrested:
- Christopher Joseph Benton, 48, unaffiliated with the university, for trespassing, resisting an officer, and unlawful presence.
- Jay Eduardo Maytorena, 22, a current or former student, for trespassing and resisting an officer.
Viral Footage Reveals Brutal Attack — and a Robbery Attempt
One of the most disturbing viral clips showed a Turning Point supporter being punched repeatedly. At first glance, it looked like another political assault—but police later revealed something even more alarming.
After reviewing statements and video, authorities confirmed that 25-year-old Oakland resident Jihad Dphrepaulezz had stolen the victim’s necklace moments before the fight. The victim was simply trying to retrieve his stolen property when the altercation escalated.
This revelation has only intensified concerns about safety on America’s college campuses and the increasing boldness of violent agitators.
Newsom Silent on Social Media — While Conservatives Demand Accountability
While all of this unfolded, Newsom remained overseas at the COP30 climate conference in Brazil. He has not posted a single statement addressing the violence, despite growing pressure.
This silence is particularly striking since Newsom once sat down for an interview with Charlie Kirk—TPUSA’s late founder—where the two discussed the importance of free expression and the danger of silencing speech.
Conservatives are asking: If Newsom truly believes in free speech, why does he stay silent when conservatives are the ones being attacked?
Turning Point USA Responds: “This Must Be Stopped”
Andrew Kolvet of Turning Point USA posted on X:
“No peaceful attendee should ever have to deal with the kind of intimidation and violence we witnessed last night. These Antifa radicals must be held accountable.”
His message resonated strongly among older conservative Americans who have watched political violence escalate nationwide over the past decade.
The Department of Justice Launches Federal Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that it is formally investigating the Berkeley riot.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon called the attacks “unacceptable” and condemned the intimidation of peaceful attendees exercising their constitutional rights.
The DOJ instructed UC Berkeley to preserve all documents related to event security, planning, and campus preparation.
UC Berkeley released a lengthy statement condemning the violence and promising full cooperation with the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force.
A Turning Point for California?
For many Americans—especially conservatives—this incident highlights the increasingly hostile environment toward free speech on college campuses. The fact that Newsom finally addressed the violence may signal that the pressure is getting to him.
But questions remain:
- Why did it take days for the governor to speak?
- Why no personal statement from Newsom?
- And will California finally start protecting conservative students and speakers?
As the federal investigation moves forward, millions of Americans will be watching closely. For conservatives age 50 and older—who have witnessed decades of political change—this moment feels like a test of whether basic constitutional rights still matter in California.
