A University of Iowa student is facing multiple charges following an incident where he allegedly disrupted an on-campus event organized by Turning Point USA. The student, identified as 19-year-old Justin Pham Calhoon, was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon after he reportedly approached the conservative group’s table located on the T. Anne Cleary Walkway, near the Tippie College of Business, and overturned it.
According to a criminal complaint, the group was offering hot chocolate when Calhoon declined their offer. Witnesses describe that he then flipped over the table, laughed, and walked away. The incident left the members of the group, all of whom were female, feeling “visibly shaken” and disrupted their event significantly.
The incident was captured on video and subsequently shared by Turning Point USA on social media, drawing attention to the altercation. As a result of the incident, Calhoon has been charged with disorderly conduct, third-degree harassment, and criminal mischief. He has pleaded not guilty and was released without bond.
A temporary no-contact order was issued the following day, which prevents Calhoon from contacting the individuals involved in the incident. His non-jury trial is set for March 6, 2026, at the Johnson County Courthouse in Iowa City.
This incident raises important discussions about campus safety and the freedoms of expression for different political groups, echoing similar events at universities across the country where tensions between varying ideologies often lead to confrontations. The university community continues to grapple with how to foster dialogue while ensuring a respectful environment for all students.