A leading MAGA education official has announced plans to establish chapters of Turning Point USA, the conservative organization founded by slain MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk, in every high school across his state.
Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters unveiled the proposal on Tuesday and warned schools would be punished if they refused to take part.
“For far too long, we have seen radical leftists with the teachers union dominate classrooms and push woke indoctrination on our kids,” Walters said in a video posted to social media.
“They fight parents’ rights, they push parents out of the classroom, and they lie to our kids about American history. What we’re going to continue to do is make sure that our kids understand American greatness, engage in civic dialogue, and have that open discussion.”
Kirk, a hugely influential figure in the young conservative movement, was shot and killed during a speaking event in Utah on Sept. 10. His widow, Erika Kirk, has since been named CEO of Turning Point USA.
Nearly a week after Kirk’s death, the group claimed it had received more than 54,000 requests to start a chapter at a high school or college across the country.
In an interview with Oklahoma news station KOKH, Walters warned that schools refusing to establish a Turning Point USA chapter could face penalties.
“We would go after their accreditation. We would go after their certificates. So yeah, 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,” Walters said.
“Absolutely, they would be violating the law. They would be violating the rules set forth to them by our agency. Everything would be on the table in that scenario.”
John Croisant, a Tulsa Public Schools 5th District Board Member who is running as a Democrat for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, blasted the Turning Point USA plan as a stunt and said Tulsa Public Schools would not participate in the plan.
“And he can’t make us,” Croisant told KGOU. “Because that’s not a part of accreditation.
“We have Fellowship of Christian Athletes, we have [See You At the Pole], we’ve got all sorts of clubs at schools that students can create on their own, but we’re not going to actively be pushing political organizations within our schools.”
Democratic State Rep. Mickey Dollens also shot down the plans from Walters while referencing comments from Oklahoma-based conservative radio host, Chad Alexander.
“He says this is just another pathetic attempt by Walters to win over Republicans while tanking in the polls. Walters has zero power to enforce it and won’t investigate a thing,” Dollens posted.
The Daily Beast has contacted Turning Point USA for comment.
