St. John’s stopped the Turning Point USA chapter after the assassination of Charlie Kirk

Turning Point USA Chapter Blocked at St. John’s University

St. John’s University has denied a request from Turning Point USA, the conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, to establish a campus chapter. This decision came shortly after Kirk was tragically assassinated last fall, as reported.

The university’s student government, which is the sole entity responsible for approving new organizations, rejected the application several months after Kirk’s death by a sniper on September 10th. A spokesperson clarified that any group wishing to start or revitalize a chapter must navigate a comprehensive four-round process.

According to Brian Brown, a spokesperson for the university, only four out of 19 proposed organizations received approval during the fall 2025 semester. He encouraged students interested in Turning Point USA to consider reapplying in the spring or exploring existing alternatives for support.

Turning Point USA, established in 2012 by Kirk, aims to identify, educate, and mobilize students who promote fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.

Some critics argue that the decision reflects a liberal bias on campus and a broader pattern of cancel culture. Bill Donahue from the Catholic Religious Civil Rights League expressed concern, stating, “Charlie Kirk advocated for civil debate, and that was a hallmark of his mission.” He questioned why a Catholic institution would oppose such advocacy, highlighting that the university’s idea of inclusion seems selective.

Donahue further remarked that the university’s alumni typically uphold traditional moral values, yet the institution seems to stray from that path. He suggested that alumni might need to take a stand, perhaps in financial ways.

Reports of the rejection initially surfaced when the National Review highlighted the situation. There have been no interventions from university authorities on behalf of Turning Point USA.

A student named Massimo Guerriero, who is trying to set up a chapter, suggested that the student government appears biased against their proposal. He noted that many concerns raised during the review process were more about potential backlash linked to the group’s founders’ ideology rather than compliance with university regulations.

After receiving the rejection email, which provided no specific reasons for the denial, Guerriero stated the government nonetheless encouraged them to reapply.

In the rejection letter, they were told, “With continued improvement, your organization has the potential to make a meaningful impact on the campus community.”