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College Student Arrested After Flipping Turning Point USA Table in Viral Video

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4 weeks ago

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A University of Iowa student is facing criminal charges after a now-viral video showed them violently flipping over a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) display on campus, sending hot chocolate and pamphlets flying during an unprovoked political outburst.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 19-year-old Justin Pham Calhoon, a University of Iowa student who identifies as a transgender man. The incident unfolded on November 5 during a campus event hosted by the university’s chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) — a conservative student group that advocates for free speech and limited government.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, Calhoon was arrested later that afternoon and charged with two counts of disorderly conduct, one count of fifth-degree criminal mischief, and two counts of third-degree harassment.

The confrontation began as TPUSA members held their “Cocoa and Conservatives” event outside the Iowa Memorial Union, offering free hot chocolate and conservative literature to passing students. Witnesses said Calhoon approached the table appearing agitated, shouted profanity, and suddenly lunged forward, flipping the table and scattering drinks and supplies.

Justin Calhoon mugshot

Justin Calhoon mugshot (Johnson County Sheriff’s Office).

The chaotic exchange was captured on video and later shared by TPUSA’s Iowa chapter, quickly racking up thousands of views on social media. The footage shows Calhoon shoving the table before walking away as stunned students look on in disbelief.

The story took a sharper turn when Daily Wire contributor Cabot Phillips alleged that Calhoon was the same student who disrupted another conservative event the week prior.

Phillips wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “This same student literally did the exact same thing last week ahead of my event there.”

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Records show that on October 27, a warrant was issued after Calhoon also flipped a table during a Young Americans for Freedom event — just days before the TPUSA disruption. That earlier warrant, filed on November 3, included misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, fifth-degree criminal mischief, and third-degree harassment.

Across both cases, Calhoon now faces five simple misdemeanor charges: two counts of disorderly conduct for disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting, two counts of third-degree harassment, and one count of fifth-degree criminal mischief. Court documents show he was released without bond and is under no-contact orders in both cases. Non-jury trials are scheduled for March 2026.

Per Iowa Pulse, Calhoon was initially charged in relation to the November 5 incident, but court records now reveal an earlier case dated October 27, also filed by the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety.

“All Iowa students are required to abide by the Code of Student Life, which outlines expectations for behavior and conduct,” a university spokesperson told Fox News. “While the results of these investigations remain confidential, disciplinary action depends on the seriousness of the violation.”

“The University of Iowa remains fully committed to free speech, mandating annual First Amendment training for all students and regularly reinforcing the importance of respecting differing viewpoints,” the spokesperson added.

The episode closely mirrored a similar incident at Illinois State University last month, where a teaching assistant overturned a Turning Point USA table. Derek Lopez, 27, was terminated from his position after being caught on video damaging the organization’s display. He was later charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.

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