Oklahoma to establish Turning Point USA chapters in all high schools, citing activist's death

Oklahoma's state superintendent announced plans to implement Turning Point USA chapters in every high school, a move spurred by the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

24 sept 2025 - 17:16 • 4 min read

Oklahoma is set to become the first state to officially facilitate the establishment of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapters in every high school, according to an announcement by State Superintendent Ryan Walters. The initiative aims to counter what Walters described as "radical leftist teachers’ unions" and "woke indoctrination" in schools.

The surge in requests to form TPUSA chapters at colleges and high schools has escalated following the killing of far-right activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus earlier this month. In response, Walters detailed a process for students to launch a "Club America" chapter, TPUSA's high school program. Students need to gather at least three individuals from the same school and complete a charter agreement. TPUSA will then assist in securing a teacher sponsor, official recognition, and provide materials like an "activism kit."

"We will be putting TPUSA on every high school campus in Oklahoma," Walters stated in a press release. He added, "Charlie Kirk inspired a generation to love America, to speak boldly, and to never shy away from debate. Our kids must get involved and active. We will fight back against the liberal propaganda, pushed by the radical left, and the teachers unions. Our fight starts now."

Walters has been a vocal critic of what he perceives as leftist influence in classrooms. In a video posted online, he claimed that "radical leftists" dominate classrooms and push "woke indoctrination," arguing they sideline parents and misrepresent American history. He believes TPUSA chapters will foster dialogue about "American greatness" and "American values."

When questioned about potential pushback from schools, Walters indicated that he would pursue accreditation for any district refusing to open a TPUSA chapter. "They would be in danger of not being a school district if they decided to reject a club that is here to promote civic engagement," he said, suggesting that "everything would be on the table."

Turning Point USA reported a significant increase in inquiries for new chapters following a memorial service for Kirk. The organization's spokesman, Andrew Kolvet, stated they have received over 120,000 inquiries and are close to having a TPUSA or Club America chapter in every high school and college campus across the United States.

TPUSA chapters typically organize around conservative principles and have engaged in activities such as voter registration, promoting free speech and gun access, and campaigns like "Make America Healthy Again." The organization has also maintained watchlists of academics and school board members with left-leaning views, and TPUSA chapters on college campuses host conservative speakers.

Walters himself has faced scrutiny for promoting religion and right-wing politics in Oklahoma schools. His past efforts include attempting to mandate the showing of a video of him praying in schools, pushing for the creation of the nation's first Catholic public charter school (which was blocked by the Supreme Court), and acquiring Donald Trump-branded Bibles for classrooms. He has also appointed conservative figures to state education committees and advocated for an "America First" certification for teachers from liberal states, as well as for the inclusion of 2020 election fraud conspiracies in the high school social studies curriculum.

Following Kirk's death, Walters released a press release on September 17, asserting that teachers who made derogatory comments about him would be fired. His office reported receiving 224 complaints of "defamatory comments," 30 reports of schools not observing a moment of silence, and three reports of schools refusing to lower flags in Kirk's honor. The department identified 70 certified teachers accused of making such statements.

Meanwhile, in Florida, a similar concern over political violence has led to action. Following Kirk's assassination, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the launch of a digital portal for citizens to anonymously report instances of violent speech and political threats. The platform allows for the submission of evidence such as messages, videos, and images.

Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed the initiative, which Uthmeier stated is intended to reduce the impact of ideological attacks and address a "worrying increase in radicalization." The portal is designed to complement emergency services, with 911 remaining the number for immediate crises.

Florida officials pointed to a reported "over 1,000%" increase in attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the past year, linking it to intensified immigration raids. The assassination of Charlie Kirk, and subsequent online threats and celebrations of his death, further solidified the perception of escalating political hatred in the United States, according to the Florida Attorney General's office. Republican figures, including former President Donald Trump, have attributed such incidents to "left-wing radicals."