After a viral video of a University of Iowa student violently flipping a Turning Point USA display, hot chocolate and leaflets were hurled in an unprovoked outburst.
The suspect has been identified by authorities as Justin Pham Calhoon (19), a University of Iowa Student who is transgender. On November 5, the incident occurred during a campus gathering hosted by Turning Point USA, a conservative group of students that promotes free speech and limits government.
Calhoon, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department was arrested that same afternoon. He is charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief in fifth degree, as well as two third-degree charges of harassment.
TPUSA held “Cocoa and Conservatives”, an event where they offered free hot cocoa and conservative literature outside of the Iowa Memorial Union. Calhoon, according to witnesses, approached the table looking agitated and shouting profanities. He then suddenly lunged in front, flipping over the table, scattering supplies and drinks.
TPUSA Iowa’s chapter shared the video of this chaotic exchange, which quickly gained thousands of social media views. Calhoon is seen shoving a table and then walking away, as shocked students watch in shock.
This story was given a new twist when Daily Wire’s Cabot Phillips claimed that Calhoon had disrupted a conservative event merely a week earlier.
Phillips posted on X, formerly Twitter: “This exact student did exactly the same thing before my event at that venue last week.”
WATCH:
Watch: A student who was tabling at the University of Iowa’s campus, @tpusastudents, turned their table over and left.
@sophiamaize | @TPUSA pic.twitter.com/vPwxIUDmsb
November 5, 2025 HTML0 — Frontlines TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA).
On October 27, a search warrant was also issued for Calhoon for flipping a table at a Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) event, just a few days prior to the TPUSA disturbance. This earlier warrant was filed on November 3 and included misdemeanors of disorderly behavior, fifth-degree mischief, third-degree harassing, as well as misdemeanor charges for criminal mischief.
Calhoon faces charges in both cases for five misdemeanors: two counts each of disorderly behavior and disturbing an assembly or meeting; two counts each of harassment of the third degree, as well as one charge of criminal mischief of the fifth degree. In both cases, court documents indicate that Calhoon was not released on bond. He is also under a no-contact order. The non-jury trial is scheduled to take place in March 2026.
Iowa Pulse reports that Calhoon initially was charged with the incident of November 5, but now court documents reveal a case filed earlier on October 27 by the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety.
A university spokesperson said Fox News that “all Iowa students must adhere to the Code of Student Life which sets expectations regarding behavior and conduct”. While the findings of the investigations are confidential, the severity of the offense will determine the disciplinary actions.
The spokesperson said that “The University of Iowa is committed to freedom of speech. It mandates annual First Amendment Training for all students, and reinforces the importance of respecting different viewpoints regularly.”
This incident is similar to one that occurred at Illinois State University in August, when a Turning Point USA display was thrown over by a student teaching assistant. Derek Lopez was fired after he was caught on camera damaging of the display. Later, he was charged with criminal damage and disorderly conduct.
WATCH:
Watch: An Illinois State University teacher assistant flipped a @tpusastudentstable and tore flyers that promoted an upcoming @alexstein99event.
— FRONTLINES TPUSA 17 October 2025
