DOJ launches federal probe after Antifa militants riot at TPUSA Berkeley event honoring Charlie Kirk

US Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Harmeet Dhillon, announced on Tuesday that an investigation has been launched into a violent attack against individuals attending a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event at UC Berkeley, perpetrated by the designated terrorist group, Antifa. The FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force is also investigating the incident, according to the Justice Department.

This comes one day after black-clad Antifa militants set off flares and smoke bombs, assaulted conservative attendees and vendors, threw projectiles at police officers, and issued death threats, forcing riot police to intervene and make arrests on Monday night at TPUSA's "American Comeback Tour." A mob of Antifa and leftist agitators had mobilized to attack the conservative event, whose founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated in cold blood two months prior.

"UC Berkeley and the City of Berkeley should expect some incoming Civil Rights correspondence. And more," Dhillon wrote on X. "In America, we do not allow citizens to be attacked by violent thugs and shrug and turn our backs. Been there, done that, not on our watch."

Hours later, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that a full investigation, led by the "FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force," is actively underway. "We will continue to spare no expense unmasking all who commit and orchestrate acts of political violence," said Bondi. "Under President Trump's leadership, and pursuant to his Executive Order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, the Department of Justice and our law-enforcement partners are dismantling violent networks that seek to intimidate Americans and suppress their free expression and First Amendment rights."

Video footage captured by TPUSA "Frontlines" reporter Savanah Hernandez, and other reporters on the ground, showed a fiery, chaotic atmosphere as Antifa militants, concealing their identities behind facial coverings, ignited flares and smoke bombs to threaten individuals attending the conservative event. Demonstrators hurled heavy projectiles at police barricades, attempted to "de-arrest" detained comrades, and blocked all four exits while chanting slurs like "F*ck your dead homie," in reference to the late Charlie Kirk.

A vicious struggle broke out after an Antifa agitator allegedly attempted to rob a street vendor selling Kirk memorabilia, leaving the victim injured and prompting police intervention. Fox News claimed that at least four people were arrested, including for battery and attempting to breach police barriers. 

The event at Zellerbach Hall celebrated Charlie Kirk's legacy and welcomed speakers such as famed comedian and actor Rob Schneider and Dr. Frank Turek. Kirk was initially scheduled to speak. Despite the mayhem from demonstrators outside, the indoor gathering was packed, with TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet describing it as a success in the face of violence.