Turning Point USA (TPUSA) members who were speaking at the University of Texas at Tyler on Thursday said a physical altercation highlighted a rising climate of hostility toward conservative voices on college campuses. Field representative Janae Jenson told Fox & Friends that the incident underscored the difficulty of holding open conversations in an environment that can turn “aggressive” toward students who express right‑leaning viewpoints.
Details of the confrontation
According to Jenson, the suspect – identified as 19‑year‑old former UT Tyler student Ciro Tomlian – repeatedly approached the TPUSA display, verbally insulting the group before the encounter escalated. Video captured Tomlian wearing a cape and a round‑brimmed hat, tossing an American flag to the ground and swinging a cane at the students. TPUSA members can be heard urging him to stop and warning that police were nearby.
Jenson described the campus as “small” and “mostly conservative,” but said the episode reflects a broader pattern of intimidation that conservative students face daily. “Our students face threats of violence and mean words all the time on the daily. So, I mean something like this is bound to happen eventually,” she said.
TPUSA members’ perspective
TPUSA member Davis Thrower added that online media and social platforms have helped radicalize individuals who then act out in real life. He also pointed to a national mental‑health crisis, noting that many young people lack adequate support. “I also believe that we have a major health crisis, mental health crisis within our nation that is not properly addressed,” Thrower said.
Thrower referenced a Gallup survey released in December 2025, which found that 30 % of adults ages 18‑29 said it is sometimes acceptable to use violence to achieve a political goal. He stressed that the survey’s findings do not excuse physical aggression, saying, “They hear something they don’t like and they don’t understand that it’s not acceptable to lash out and physically hurt people.”
Legal response
University of Texas at Tyler police arrested Tomlian shortly after the incident. Local officials said he faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of assault causing bodily injury, stemming from accusations that he struck TPUSA participants with a cane.
University spokespersons declined to comment further on the investigation, but confirmed that campus security was present and responded promptly to the disturbance.
Broader context
The incident arrives amid ongoing national debates about free speech on college campuses. Conservative groups argue that universities have become hostile environments for students who hold traditional values, while campus administrators often emphasize the need to maintain a safe, inclusive atmosphere for all students.
TPUSA has long advocated for the protection of conservative expression in higher education, urging lawmakers and university leaders to adopt policies that safeguard open dialogue. The organization points to similar incidents at other institutions as evidence of a pattern that threatens the constitutional right to free speech.
Critics of TPUSA argue that the group’s provocative tactics sometimes inflame tensions, but the organization maintains that its events are peaceful and that any violence is the result of antagonists seeking to silence dissent.
What’s next?
UT Tyler officials said they will review campus safety protocols and consider additional measures to prevent future confrontations. TPUSA members indicated they will continue to hold events on campus, emphasizing their commitment to “open conversation” despite the risks.
As the investigation proceeds, both the university and TPUSA are calling for a respectful campus climate that allows students of all political persuasions to engage in civil discourse.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
