Investigation Launched After Riot at Berkeley Event
The Justice Department and FBI are looking into the violent riot that erupted during a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley, on Monday. Authorities have described the situation as a chaotic battleground involving Antifa protesters.
“Antifa poses an existential threat to our country,” Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on social media Monday afternoon. She emphasized that the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force is thoroughly investigating the riot at Berkeley and pledged to uncover all those responsible for incidents of political violence.
The event, which was sold out, took place on the traditionally liberal Bay Area campus just two months after the assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk. Many protesters, donned in keffiyehs, attempted to disrupt the proceedings by throwing smoke bombs, bottles, and even setting off fireworks.
Amidst the chaos, TPUSA Chief of Staff Mikey McCoy reported on social media that Antifa was “breaching police barricades and threatening event attendees.”
About 900 people attended the “This is the Turning Point” event, which was hosted by author Frank Turek and comedian Rob Schneider, according to the event organizers.
The tour, renamed from the American Comeback Tour, continues in honor of Kirk following his shocking murder.
At least three individuals were arrested, including a man named “Jihad,” who suffers from cranial paralysis and was charged with assault and robbery for allegedly stealing a necklace from one of the participants. He ended up bloodied during the riot.
“Mob violence and threats against attendees exercising their First Amendment rights are completely unacceptable,” stated Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights. She announced that the Justice Department is fully investigating potential failures on the part of UC Berkeley and those who may have enabled the violence.
Attached to her statement was a letter directed to UC Berkeley Chancellor James Milliken and the University of California Board of Regents, urging them to keep all records related to the school’s response and preparation for the TPUSA event.
“We are also assessing whether these recent events justify further investigation into violations of federal rights, particularly those related to the First and Fourteenth Amendments,” she added.
