Oklahoma Principal Plans Turning Point USA Chapters in High Schools

On Tuesday, Ryan Walters, the principal of Oklahoma State Schools, announced plans to establish a Turning Point USA chapter in every high school across the state. This initiative aims to honor Charlie Kirk, the group’s co-founder.

In a video shared on his X account, Walters expressed excitement about the new initiative. “We look forward to announcing today that all Oklahoma high schools will have a Turning Point USA chapter,” he stated. “We’ve received strong interest from parents, teachers, and students who wish to engage in meaningful discussions about freedom of speech and American values.”

He further added, “For too long, we’ve watched as radical leftists have taken control of classrooms and have pushed their agendas onto students, often against their parents’ wishes. They distort American history.” This perspective appeared to resonate with some, but it also attracted significant criticism, particularly from Democratic figures.

Chad Alexander, a conservative radio host, called Walters’s announcement another desperate move to appeal to Republicans amid declining poll numbers. Meanwhile, John Croisant, a Democratic congressional candidate and Tulsa Public Schools board member, firmly stated that the district would not promote a political organization within its schools.

Walters’s critics, like former DNC spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa, expressed disapproval. During a CNN segment, she argued that it’s inappropriate to impose ideologies on children, citing past tragedies as evidence that children shouldn’t be subjected to political teachings in schools.

In turn, Walters dismissed Hinojosa’s critique on “The Story with Martha McCallum,” referring to it as “hate.” He insisted that the push for Turning Point USA is driven by genuine interest from students and parents who wish to advocate for their beliefs.

“These are the same groups that impose ideologies like ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ on children and push critical race theory,” Walters claimed. “But now, we’re seeing students and teachers ask for Turning Point chapters. It’s a powerful moment.” He emphasized the desire for students to explore their values independently.

Walters mentioned that the movement for new chapters aligns with community requests and that he is collaborating with Turning Point USA to facilitate this expansion.

Since the recent tragic event involving Charlie Kirk, which resulted in a significant uptick in requests for new chapters, Turning Point USA operates around 900 college chapters and approximately 1,200 high school branches. Despite the mixed reactions, the push for these chapters signals an active interest in political involvement among students across Oklahoma.