Let’s break it down 👇
Read this especially if you’re concerned about political violence, campus radicalism, or the growing trend of anti-conservative hostility in higher education.
🎓 Who Is Derek Lopez?
Derek Lopez, 27, was a teaching assistant and grad student at Illinois State University. Earlier this month, a video went viral showing him flipping over a Turning Point USA table during a campus event. He mocked the students, referenced Jesus, and walked away casually after damaging their property.
🕵️♂️ What Just Happened
Lopez was arrested on Tuesday in a joint FBI and Secret Service operation. Federal agents say he made credible threats against President Trump, both online and in person. According to a memo obtained by Fox News Digital, the investigation had been ongoing for weeks and involved local police.
🔊 What the FBI Is Saying
FBI Director Kash Patel called the threats 'heinous' and warned others thinking of doing the same. He said this case should serve as a message that threatening public officials will not be tolerated. The bureau credited local law enforcement and the Secret Service for their help in the arrest.
📽️ The Viral Video
The incident that got Lopez fired showed him disrupting a peaceful tabling event hosted by TPUSA students. Before flipping the table, he said, 'Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?' He then walked away and sarcastically told the group to have a nice day. He was later arrested by local police and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.
🏛️ The University’s Response
Illinois State University quickly removed Lopez from his teaching role. The school didn’t release full details but confirmed he was under further investigation. Despite repeated requests, the university has declined further comment.
🔎 Why This Matters
This wasn’t just another campus protest. It turned into a federal case involving threats to the sitting president. It also fits a growing pattern of hostility toward conservative students and ideas on college campuses. Turning Point USA chapters across the country report similar incidents, though most never get national attention.
🧠 The Bottom Line
Lopez’s arrest shows what can happen when campus radicalism crosses the line into real-world threats. Speech is free. Threats are not. And if college leaders won’t set the tone, federal law enforcement will step in. Do you think universities are doing enough to protect free speech and civil behavior on campus?