Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, has surged to the forefront of America’s ongoing debate about politics, education, and the role of faith in public life. In early February 2026, a series of high-profile events and partnerships put the group—and the controversy surrounding it—squarely in the national spotlight, sparking everything from local protests to state-level policy shifts.
On February 7, the Redding Civic Auditorium in Shasta County, California, will host a "faith night" organized by local Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapters at Simpson University and Shasta College. The event, promoted as free and open to the public, promises live worship, a gospel-centered message, and guest speakers sharing personal reflections on faith, family, and freedom. The featured lineup includes Evan Jones, a freshman business major and president of Simpson University's TPUSA chapter; Bethel Church pastor Tom Crandell; Simpson University professor Daniel Sloan; community member Carson Williams; and former Redding Airport Manager Jim Wadleigh.
Security will be tight, with metal detectors at the entrance and both private security and police officers on site. Attendees must provide their names and emails at check-in. According to the event description, the night will feature a gospel message and personal testimonies. In a prayer email circulated to prospective attendees, Crandell wrote, "Tom will be sharing about Jesus as the true hope for our nation, followed by an altar call for salvation," and asked for prayers for the protection of speakers and that "God draw the right people" to attend.
Yet, the event has not been without controversy. Several community groups—including Shasta Exposed, Redding Resistance, Shasta Democratic Action Club, Shasta Unmasked, and Redding Be Like—plan to protest outside the auditorium. Their concerns echo larger national debates about the intersection of politics, religion, and education. In a letter to the Redding Police Department, the protest organizers noted, “organizers have received threats of physical violence from individuals who identify as supporters of Turning Point USA.” While no specific threats were detailed, the groups emphasized their intent to protest peacefully.
Event host Evan Jones acknowledged the tensions, telling Shasta Scout, “I understand that people affiliated with Turning Point USA may say bad things or do bad things. I simply cannot control what people do or say just as the people who are organizing the protest cannot possibly control what protestors do.” He added, “I believe the protestors will be respectful and kind as they say they would,” and underscored the right of community members to protest peacefully.
Julie Dyar, director of Advance Redding, which manages the Civic Auditorium, defended the event’s presence at a city-owned venue: “As a publicly owned venue, the local chapter of TPUSA has the right to host events in the venue provided they follow standard booking procedures and guidelines, which they did. We also fully support the right of community members to peacefully protest and voice opposition.”
This is not the first time TPUSA has served as a flashpoint in Shasta County. Following the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk in September 2025, thousands gathered at Shasta College for a prayer vigil led by Crandell and others. At that event, Crandell declared, “Christianity will survive without America but America will not survive without Christianity,” echoing Kirk’s oft-repeated beliefs about the centrality of Christian doctrine to American identity. Kirk’s death also prompted statements from local officials and a symbolic resolution by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors condemning political hate.
The national influence of TPUSA is only growing. In Indiana, Republican leaders are moving to formalize a partnership with the organization, aiming to establish TPUSA chapters in every school in the state. Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and current TPUSA leader, announced during a February 4 Fox News interview that Indiana would soon join Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, and Montana in supporting the group’s school expansion efforts. Indiana already boasts 38 collegiate and 64 high school TPUSA chapters, and the partnership is expected to be officially unveiled at the Governor’s Mansion on March 12, 2026.
These state-level partnerships are not without controversy. While schools are not mandated to start TPUSA chapters, they are required not to block their formation. In Texas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million in campaign funds to support TPUSA’s growth, and Governor Greg Abbott promised "meaningful disciplinary action" for schools that violate the policy. Oklahoma and Florida have issued similar threats, including potential loss of school accreditation. As Terry Spradlin of the Indiana School Boards Association noted, “If the school or school district allows other student organizations to exist, if they have clubs and organizations for students, then they have to be viewpoint neutral.”
Some observers, including First Amendment experts cited by USA TODAY, have cautioned that such partnerships could risk viewpoint discrimination, depending on how they are implemented. Alex Clark, a conservative influencer from Indiana, argued that the move is about protecting conservative students and educators: “It’s just giving confidence to conservative students and also conservative teachers and administrators who would like to support these clubs that they’re able to do so without fallback in their student careers or in their professional teaching careers.”
Meanwhile, the national debate over TPUSA’s presence in schools played out in real time in Illinois on February 5, when U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Erika Kirk visited Genoa-Kingston High School as part of the Department of Education’s "History Rocks! Trail to Independence" tour. The event, cohosted by TPUSA’s Club America student group, was billed as a civics education celebration for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. But the assembly quickly became a lightning rod for controversy.
Some students felt the event was overtly partisan, with a focus on Charlie Kirk’s vision, Christianity, and traditional values rather than history. Senior Landon Boehmer told local media, “It just felt like this wasn’t educational at all. You’re handing me a bracelet that says ‘We are Charlie Kirk,’ I’m just trying to learn about America’s history.” There were “Trump” chants, Turning Point backpacks, and media were barred from entering the school. Other students said they found Erika Kirk’s speech about leadership inspiring, but the event left the student body divided—some stayed home, teachers adjusted quizzes, and others offered extra credit for attendance.
Outside, protestors from local groups like the ReSisters and the DeKalb County Democratic Party voiced concerns about the mixing of religion and politics in public schools. Organizer Sue Willey said, “We saw this advertised that this was going to happen, so we decided to protest because we really don’t think religion should be in public schools.” Student Marilu Mercado, who wore a shirt reading “I came to learn not to feel targeted,” said the day brought “a lot of tension.” Counter-protesters, meanwhile, argued that TPUSA was providing a much-needed conservative presence in schools, and accused progressive groups of intolerance.
The Genoa-Kingston event was part of a broader initiative by the America 250 Civics Education Coalition—a collaboration between the Department of Education, TPUSA, Prager U, and the Heritage Foundation—to bring a conservative perspective to civics education. A launch video for the coalition declared, “American education was once a shining light guiding generations, built on faith, heritage, patriotism. But over the past 60–70 years, that brilliance has been dimmed.”
As Turning Point USA continues to expand its influence, the organization finds itself at the center of a contentious national conversation about the future of education, the boundaries of free speech, and the role of faith in public life. With new partnerships, growing membership, and ongoing protests, the debate shows no signs of cooling off.