On November 10, 2025, a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event at the University of California, Berkeley, was marred by significant violence, prompting an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The event featured speakers Rob Schneider and Dr. Frank Turek and was disrupted by protesters linked to the group antifa, who reportedly engaged in aggressive actions, including lighting flares and attempting to breach security barriers. Videos from the scene depicted chaotic confrontations, including an alleged assault involving a protester identified as Jihad Dphrepaulezz, who is also an employee of the California Department of Public Health.

In response to the violence, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced a comprehensive investigation by the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. The investigation will assess whether university and local police officials adequately protected attendees and upheld constitutional rights during the protests. Dhillon expressed dissatisfaction with the university's handling of the situation, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding individuals' rights to free speech and assembly at public events.

The DOJ has instructed UC Berkeley Police Chief Yogananda Pittman and university system president James Milliken to preserve all relevant records, including officer communications, use-of-force reports, arrest logs, and security footage. The investigation may explore potential violations of federal civil rights statutes, including conspiracies to deprive individuals of their rights and the use of hate crime statutes, given the language used by some protesters.

UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof stated that the university is cooperating with federal authorities and conducting its own investigation to identify external agitators involved in the violence, which resulted in at least three arrests. The FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force is also participating in the investigation, with Attorney General Pam Bondi previously labeling antifa as a significant threat to national security. However, the designation of antifa as a domestic terrorist organization has not yet led to terrorism-related charges in connection with the Berkeley incident.

The protests were reportedly organized by the antifa-linked group By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), which has a history of involvement in violent protests and connections to local teachers' unions. Dhillon's request for extensive records from the UC Berkeley Police, including body camera footage and internal communications, suggests that the federal review could expand significantly. She characterized the pattern of violent disruptions as a form of terrorism, highlighting the need for accountability in instances of political violence on university campuses funded by taxpayers. This incident reflects ongoing tensions at UC Berkeley regarding the management of free speech issues, particularly concerning conservative viewpoints, and raises questions about the balance between free expression and public safety in academic settings.