An Illinois State University graduate teaching assistant was fired on Monday after overturning a Turning Point USA table on campus and comparing his actions to those of Jesus.
The teaching assistant was captured on video flipping over the conservative group’s display of pins and flyers in a clip that quickly went viral on X.
Be informed, not misled.
“While Illinois State University does not comment specifically on personnel matters, we can confirm Derek Lopez has been relieved of his duties as a graduate teaching assistant pending further investigation,” ISU Director of Media Relations Chris Coplan said, according to the student newspaper, The Vidette.
A video of the event went viral.
WATCH: A teacher assistant at Illinois State University flipped over a @tpusastudents table and tore down flyers promoting an upcoming @alexstein99 event.
— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) October 17, 2025
🎥 @jessburback @tpusastudents pic.twitter.com/ydhIfcEa24
“Jesus did it, so I’ve got to do it too, right?” Instructor Lopez said to a student before overturning the group’s table.
“Thanks, guys, have a great day,” the teaching assistant said as he walked away.
After allegedly disrupting another student group’s table, Lopez was arrested “on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property,” according to a Facebook post from the ISU Police Department.
The TPUSA group was promoting an upcoming event featuring political commentator and comedian Alex Stein, The New York Post reported.
The Post said, "A twisted Illinois State University faculty member was arrested after allegedly flipping a Turning Point USA table on campus this week, viral video shows."
Via the New York Post.
The accused vandal, Derek Lopez, was caught on camera speaking to a man standing near the table — which had been set up by students in the group to promote political YouTuber and comedian Alex Stein’s Oct. 20 event at the university, according to video, local police, and various X posts about the ugly incident.
“Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” Lopez, 27, of El Paso, Ill. — a teacher’s assistant and graduate student at the university — tells the man before the footage shows him tossing the table over, sending pins, flyers and other items rocketing into the air.
Lopez, who sports red pants, a black and red flannel, and a bun in the clip, is then seen taking off with a wave.
“Thanks, guys, have a great day,” he sneers.
Lopez – who allegedly disrupted a second informational table hosted by a student organization – was arrested by cops on Friday, and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, the Illinois State University Police Department wrote on Facebook.
Details about the second incident were not immediately available.
Video of him tossing the Turning Point USA table, which has amassed nearly 50,000 views on Fox News’ X profile since it was posted Saturday afternoon, has sparked fierce backlash online, where thousands of commenters have called on the university to act.
“Imagine paying $30K a year for tuition just to see your TA reenact a toddler meltdown in 4K. No class, literally,” one user wrote.
“Actions like that show a complete lack of respect for free speech and open debate. College should be about ideas, not tantrums and censorship,” another said.
“He should not be in any class with those temper tantrums,” another echoed.
University Police Department Chief Aaron Woodruff said in a statement that they are “committed to protecting the First Amendment rights as well as the safety of everyone in our campus community.”
I'm sure Chief Woodruff means well, but most college and university campuses are infested with strong intolerance, often hatred, toward Christians and Christianity.
America's educational complex is strongly Leftist, with most professors and administrators leaning far Left.
A majority of college professors are Democrats, with recent studies showing a significant partisan imbalance. One analysis of faculty at 27 universities found that 77% are registered as Democrats or have a strong pro-Democrat political history. Another study on faculty at 51 top liberal-arts colleges found that Democrats outnumbered Republicans by a ratio of 10.4 to 1. Political donations also show a strong Democratic leaning, with a recent study noting that 93% of political contributions from professors went to Democrat candidates in 2022.
Faculty registration: A 2024 analysis of faculty at 27 universities found that 77% are registered Democrats or show heavy support for Democrats.
Why do the Leftists hate Christians/Christianity?
Shawn Carney, President and CEO of 40 Days for Life, writes in Newsweek:
The alarming escalation of animosity toward Christians in America can no longer be ignored. The pro-abortion, anti-family radical Left has sought tirelessly to undermine the nuclear family, religion, and traditional values for years. And it's working. A recent Wall Street Journal poll found that just 39 percent of Americans say their religious faith is very important to them, down from 62 percent a quarter of a century ago. As radical leftists advance their secular agenda, intolerance for those who hold true to Christian values has become increasingly palpable.
The shooting at a private Christian academy in Nashville by Audrey Hale, a transgender individual with a detailed manifesto and maps, is a chilling example of the escalating violence against faith. This attack, which was clearly premeditated, targeted a Christian school with a biblical theology curriculum, representing the Christian values that the shooter sought to destroy.
Anti-Christian sentiment has existed for some time, but has been amplified in recent years by a culture that seeks to undermine traditional values and beliefs. The crusade against Christianity is fueled by a radical Left that refuses to engage in respectful discourse, opting instead for hateful rhetoric and dehumanizing tactics.
To be honest, "hateful rhetoric" is putting it lightly. Far-left activist and actor Jane Fonda went on The View a while back to suggest abortion-seeking women shouldn't abide by laws. They could even resort to "murder" to have "control of their bodies."
Takeaway
In the face of this escalating war on Christians and in the shadow of the horrific school shootings, such as Nashville, radical leftists once again deride "thoughts and prayers." By aggressively attacking Christians, they hope to delegitimize the presence of faith in public life, creating a society where only secular viewpoints are tolerated. In fact, thoughts and prayers are exactly what are needed: more thoughtful behavior, more prayer, and more faith.
As the importance of faith in the lives of Americans has declined, violence, hopelessness, broken families, abortions, depression, anxiety, and sorrow have increased. The radical Left's secular path is a dead end for the people who promote it and for our country.
However, there is a turning back to God---a spiritual renewal happening in America.
I personally believe that this causes even greater hate toward Christians.
In the face of this escalating war on Christians, it is crucial to remain resolute, determined, and faithful. We must make a steadfast commitment to preserve the fundamental rights and freedoms that have defined our great nation for centuries. The time has come for Christians and conservatives to unite in defense of their faith, values, and way of life.
Remember what Jesus said: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:18-20).
Be Informed. Be Encouraged. Be Bold. Be Strong. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful.